- The Pistons signed Ronald Dupree to a two-year deal. I'm curious, though, where did the roster spot come from? Will Alex Acker and/or Will Blalock be released? Is there another deal in the works? Stay tuned; we'll have more info here as it's released.
- Jason Maxiell had a solid showing in the Vegas Summer League on offense, but how come no one is complaining about his 4.6 rebounds in 30 minutes a game? He may like to attack the rim with a vengence, but I'd like to see him more active going after loose balls.
- If you're looking for even more info on how the Pistons fared in the VSL, check out the Bad Boys Summer Camp for in-depth game recaps.
- Flip Saunders on losing Ben Wallace. (link via Palace Prince)
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Praise for Cheick Samb from NBA TV's Rick Kamla:
Samb goes 7-1, 195, which is a good news-bad news scenario, but the 21-year-old with exactly one year of professional experience can play the game on both ends. Samb closed the VSL with his best game of the tourney, dropping 10 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks on the Celtics.
All five of Samb’s field goals came on baseline jumpers, including a pretty 15-foot fadeaway and a clutch J late in the fourth quarter. Samb finished the VSL with averages of 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks, and he opened a lot of eyes in the process.
Yes, he needs to live in an Italian restaurant for the next two years, eating nothing but pasta drenched in cream sauce, and yes, the Pistons could probably save on air fare by faxing him back to Detroit, but I saw the birth of a future shot-blocking freak at the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League.
(Again, kudos to Palace Prince for the link.)
- Henry Abbott from True Hoop weighs in on the newly fashionable three-year contracts being signed by the class of 2003.