<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LAS VEGAS -- The Pistons are facing a dodgy decision regarding Cheikh Samb, the 7-foot-1 Senegalese center they acquired on draft day last year. His contract with Barcelona expired on July 1, thus they can sign him and keep him on their roster this year without having to buy him out of his Spanish League contract. Ideally, they would like to have him on the 15-man roster and let him play most of the season for their Development League affiliate in Fort Wayne. There is evidence, however, that he still might not be ready and would be better served spending at least another year overseas. The Pistons could still retain his rights, but they would eventually have to pay the buyout to Barcelona or whatever team he plays for. "For me, it doesn't matter," Samb said on Sunday. "If I go to Barcelona -- good. If I stay here -- good. I just know every time I have to do better. I have to work hard and do better." In the Pistons' first summer-league game on Saturday, he had four points and six rebounds in the first quarter and then seemed to gradually wear down. He finished with six points and seven rebounds. On Sunday, the Pistons played the Celtics in an organized scrimmage and it appeared Samb still hadn't recovered. Early in the game, Celtics' forward Leon Powe took him into the post and spun, knocking Samb completely out of the play, and scored. One possession later, Gerald Green dunked right through Samb's block attempt. A few possessions later, a visibly exhausted Samb was removed from the scrimmage. "He's going to get it," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers of Samb. "The physicality of the NBA gets to young guys early, especially young big guys. I think they are always off-balance when they are long like he is. He got to a good move a couple of times but had no balance. "The next thing they have to learn is how to set up their shot. Wherever they were before, college or wherever, they could just turn and shoot over guys. In our league, you have to get the ball before you can get a shot up. "Young bigs are like young quarterbacks. They come in and they underestimate the closing speed of NBA players."</div> Source: The Detroit News
They do need a big center, but to get dunked over like that, he will be the next Shawn Bradley. He is to weak, he needs to bulk up and play some more in the euro league. He will be constantly on TSN or ESPN for all the wrong reasons. I bet there could be a Top 10 dunks on Chiekh Samb, not what the Pistons want.
I like the NBDL idea, throw him on the roster, and just let him play in the NBDL for the season. As that article states, there is no promise he will make the top league in Barcelona this season, so see how he fairs in the NBDL I reckon. Plus he will be able to work with our coaching staff and keep close to the team. And he would probably get a run in the NBA at the end of the season.
