Below the surface, this discussion seems to be less about the actual worth of Summer League and more about wanting Carlos to show some kind of extra commitment to Detroit. But why should he?

I've got nothing against a guy representing his country with a world championship at stake, compared to a glorified shirts/skins scrimmage for a team that hasn't done crap with him.

The question is ... can he do both?... Darko was able to (regardless of affiliation)... if he can't due to practice for Argentina then that's not a problem... if he's just resting up for FIBA then it may be a problem... because he has more to prove right here in the good ol' USA.
Can anyone say for sure that he'll get major minutes for Argentina?

I'll answer that... because this is the team that's paying his bills... not his national team.

You're saying this assuming that you know where the people who are actually paying those bills would prefer he play at. Joe and Mr. D could see it the same way I do. That the more organized, lengthy, and meaningful games would provide a better chance to improve his game over the summer.

Again, this is if it's one or the other. If the preparations don't start untill after the SL, I'm sure he'll be doing both.

Ultimately, I just want him to play SOMEWHERE. He needs some PT and hopefully some confidence going into next season.

There are pros and cons to each location.

Summer League vs. National Team
Pros - close to home (for the Pistons), less likely to be in over his head, more PT than with National team (I'd imagine).

Cons - caliber of play and intensity probably not the same as with national team, more selfish play than team play in SL - individual players trying to work on their game and impress rather than having a single team goal or national pride to worry about.

Either way, to paraphrase Darko "I jus vant Fino to play!"... "and then ride firetruck!"

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Wow, lots to digest in this thread.

1. Summer League. Who have we sent in the past? Horace Jenkins? The 3 Rookies? Darko? Delfino? Glinny? Undrafted Rookies? Other teams are sending the same guys? Guys who are doing what they can to make the team vs the World Championship with guys who know what it takes to be starters in the NBA.

2. WC. I don't have any problem with Delfino learning some tricks from Ginobli.

3. Tay. Someone mentioned Tayshaun in the summer league? I don't think so.

4. Mo Evans. That guy better be dribbling around obstacles in his driveway for 8 hours a day this summer.

5. Delfino owes this team, because they pay the bills. Yeah, Delfino owes it to them to make whatever steps it takes for him to develop further. Will the Pistons have scout at the WCs? You bet your butt. Will they be trying to figure out if he is ready to get the playing time? You bet your butt. If he plays well will the front office tell Flip to play him? You bet your butt.

6. Delfino is above the summer league and that's wrong. Has anyone heard him say that? Or read it? Or have we just read that he is excited about returning to a team that won the Gold Medal in the Olympics and competing at a high level?

7. More playing time in the Summer League. I don't know about this. With undrafted rookies, and other teams cast offs, and rookies, and journeymen showing up... especially with only one draft pick this year... whoever is coaching the SL team will probably be trying to evaluate the talent that is new to him, rather than the talent that has made the team for the last 2 years.

That is all.

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As a reminder to anyone who wants to bring up the "they pay his salary" argument, Carlos has paid a lot of the Skipper Bologna buyout from his own pocket because of NBA rules. Have the Pistons felt any obligation to reward him with PT? So let's not go off the deep end on the whole salary thing, because we know pro ball isn't like the real world.

Yes there is 30-35 high echelon players in the FIBA ships (about 10-12 from the US)... a much higher % may not even qualify for an invite to a SL camp... I think we're getting a little carried away with the superior talent thing... remember more "talent" has gone thru the SL than FIBA.
Wasn't Mo Evans the Euro MVP?

I had a post between Prince's 1:03 am and jamer's 7:27 am. Now it's gone. How did that happen?

Lemme check j-train.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."