Samardo Samuels: Thoughts Observations and Projections

[Hydroponic3385]

Wasted talent.

Don't be so hard on yourself, PIP. You're not that terrible of a poster.

 

[wuck]

From Jason Lloyd:

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Samuels seems to be back in the Cavs' rotation for now, but Scott would like to see more consistency out of him. Scott said Samuels will play well for two games, then disappear when he's on the court in the next four.

"He's like Jekyll and Hyde," Scott said.

Samuels laughed when told of that assessment and said he hasn't even been given six consecutive games this season to have two good and four bad. He's right. He hasn't played in more than three consecutive games this season. :chuckles:

"That's a pretty tough assessment," Samuels said with a chuckle. "I've been trying to stay consistent. I understand the thing with Tristan (being a high draft pick) and you have to play him, so I'm just staying ready and when my number gets called, I go in there and do my thing. I know how to play basketball. I prove that every time I get my chance and my minutes."

 

[WhoWeAre]

From Jason Lloyd:

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Samuels seems to be back in the Cavs' rotation for now, but Scott would like to see more consistency out of him. Scott said Samuels will play well for two games, then disappear when he's on the court in the next four.

"He's like Jekyll and Hyde," Scott said.

Samuels laughed when told of that assessment and said he hasn't even been given six consecutive games this season to have two good and four bad. He's right. He hasn't played in more than three consecutive games this season. :chuckles:

"That's a pretty tough assessment," Samuels said with a chuckle. "I've been trying to stay consistent. I understand the thing with Tristan (being a high draft pick) and you have to play him, so I'm just staying ready and when my number gets called, I go in there and do my thing. I know how to play basketball. I prove that every time I get my chance and my minutes."

Sounds like the real problem is not consistency per se, but player/coach friction. Samuels needs to shut the fuck up, work hard, and realize that he doesn't deserve anything at this point.

 

[Tornicade]

Samuels is scotts project. He is an undrafted big man who has the talent and skill of a mid first round pick. Scott expects him to play at that level . I have no problems with how Scott is handling Samuels. Samuels may seem to blow off Scotts public critiques but it tends to typically have an impact on Samuels to keep stepping it up.

 

[CleveRocks]

Sounds like the real problem is not consistency per se, but player/coach friction. Samuels needs to shut the fuck up, work hard, and realize that he doesn't deserve anything at this point.

I don't see it as friction. Scott has a rep for bustin chops and high expectations. But Samardo is right. He can ball. I think he is going to yield at least the upside that Anderson did, and given he was undrafted that bodes well for us.

 

[wuck]

Samardo often seems to respond better when he has been parked on the bench for awhile. At this stage of his career, I don't have any problem with Scott suggesting to him that "you have to play better than Erden and Hollins to get into games". I mean, that should be enough motivation, and it shouldn't be that hard to accomplish. I like how Scott pushes the young players (Kyrie/defense, Tristan/passing, Samardo/consistency). Samardo has every opportunity to prove he belongs.

 

[Tornicade]

Samardo often seems to respond better when he has been parked on the bench for awhile. At this stage of his career, I don't have any problem with Scott suggesting to him that "you have to play better than Erden and Hollins to get into games". I mean, that should be enough motivation, and it shouldn't be that hard to accomplish. I like how Scott pushes the young players (Kyrie/defense, Tristan/passing, Samardo/consistency). Samardo has every opportunity to prove he belongs.

You forgtot Scotts greatest push. Hickson (out the door)

 

[Cratylus]

At this stage of his career, I don't have any problem with Scott suggesting to him that "you have to play better than Erden and Hollins to get into games".

Which is to say he has to play better than Erden. It is physically impossible to play worse than Hollins, so Samuels wins that matchup by default.

 

[WhoWeAre]

Ok...this has been bothering me for a while now, but I finally figured out who Samardo reminds me of:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/82404235@N00/6807039493/" title="Samardo-Samuels, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6807039493_6c513b88ea.jpg" width="459" height="344" alt="Samardo-Samuels"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/82404235@N00/6807039435/" title="Celebrity City, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6807039435_d50a3c7716_z.jpg" width="419" height="640" alt="Celebrity City"></a>

 

[Dungong]

I havent really seen Erden or Hollins play better than Samardo. One thing that may limit his play time is he legitimately gets into foul trouble which so far hasnt really affected much but if you want to be a starter in the league or even a dependable bench player, then you gotta last more than 10 minutes on the court before fouling out. I agree that he seems to be physically gifted enough, has an acceptable shot and range as well as some low post scoring ability. He's shown flashes of defensive ability as well but needs a couple years to develop. If he worked at it, he could be a serviceable starter.

 

[Tornicade]

Warf sturggled as security officer when he took over on the enterprise. but worked hard and kept a good attitude while getting more in touhch with his klingon side while maintaing his humanity.

i could see Samuels havng a similiar career progression.

 

[RTrees]

What do we want out of Samuels? Should we use him as a go to scorer down low? Give him some space to work? Or do we just want him grabbing boards and putting the ball in when it's convenient?

I understand Samardo's frustration. His role seems a little mixed up right now since he has shown to be a scoring force.

What he doesn't do as well as Tristan Thompson is play consistently on the boards. Samuels might have a tendency to play small when he doesn't have the ball. On defense players get up shots over him without too much resistance. If those things changed it would be hard to not give him consistent minutes given his abilities down low.

 

[Pioneer10]

What happened to Samuels? Is he completely in Scott's doghouse or has the organization given up on him as a long term prospect?

He's not anything special but would be nice to know if he's at least solid backup material. Just curious as while I'm not high on him, he'd definitely better then Harangoudy and gives us an element in low post scoring that we don't have a lot of right now

 

[jlegg21]

One more reason to move Jamison before the deadline. This guy needs some consistent run for Scott and the FO to see just what he can be. We're rebuilding, not contending, so now is the perfect time to throw him out there consistently with the rest of the pups. We're wasting waaay too many minutes on Hollins and Gody, both of whom better be gone by next year, so help me Grant...

 

[rabman_gold]

I don't think he's Cavalier material. That's also probably what the head brass decided on and he'll only see time if everybody up front is unavailable. I have to say, Samuels had the talent, but was way too sure of himself. That's why he was undrafted to begin with. He's also a black hole and I don't think he ever learned to not be one. He can't just post everybody up and expect a bucket, you have to pass it out or it's an instant turnover.

And this is why I don't really want Jared Sullinger on the team either.