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Samardo Samuels: Thoughts Observations and Projections

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This is another example of Scott keeping a very selective doghouse (despite Byron's denials that a doghouse even exists). I agree that Samardo should have reported to (an abbreviated) camp in better shape, and he shouldn't have publicly disagreed with Scott's appraisal of his condition, but guys like Casspi keep their starting positions with awful play, Weak Sauce is immediately returned to the starting lineup despite sucking before his injury (and even worse after) while Hollins and Erden rack up missed gimme dunks and stupid fouls (along with their inability to rebound)

I'm definitely not sold on Samuels, but I do believe he has a far greater potential upside than Ryan or Semih, so why play the mind games as Scott has with him? Poor, poor talent management skill and handling of a young player that could possibly develop, if you ask me.
 
This is another example of Scott keeping a very selective doghouse (despite Byron's denials that a doghouse even exists). I agree that Samardo should have reported to (an abbreviated) camp in better shape, and he shouldn't have publicly disagreed with Scott's appraisal of his condition, but guys like Casspi keep their starting positions with awful play, Weak Sauce is immediately returned to the starting lineup despite sucking before his injury (and even worse after) while Hollins and Erden rack up missed gimme dunks and stupid fouls (along with their inability to rebound)

I'm definitely not sold on Samuels, but I do believe he has a far greater potential upside than Ryan or Semih, so why play the mind games as Scott has with him? Poor, poor talent management skill and handling of a young player that could possibly develop, if you ask me.

Samardo has JJ Hickson syndrome. No work ethic. Doesn't listen to coach. It's pretty friggin obvious.
 
I don't know if any of us can speculate on Samardo's work ethic

there are a couple things worth mentioning
  1. he came to camp out of shape, but a lot of others players did as well- we appears to be in game shape now
  2. he critcized the coach about playing time , inferring Tristan was getting playing time over him due to his draft position
  3. he rarley passes out of the post whether he has a shot or not, TT can be critcized of doing the same thing
  4. He and Scott had a sit down recently and is giving him an opportunity to play
  5. Luke harangoddy is getting minutes at the 4 while Samardo sits
 
  1. he came to camp out of shape, but a lot of others players did as well- we appears to be in game shape now

I have a big issue with this considering the guy was an undrafted rookie last season. I cannot justify any player coming into the season out of shape, but this is not Baron Davis or Shaq we are talking about. Let us not forget Samardo, nobody wanted you last year. Shit, even Harangody was selected in that draft.
 
I'm beginning to really hate Byron.
1. He has some horri-awful rotations
2. He lets Jamison get away with murder
3. He calls out the wrong players that don't even play (Samardo and Eyenga) instead of players he should be calling out (Harangody, Assfingers, Parkers Corpse and Hollins).

Harangody, Casspi, Parker, Jamison, and Hollins are never going to change. They are who they are and calling them out is not going to make that big of a difference. Besides, they are not part of the future. Samardo and Eyenga have some talent and could be part of the future, if only they developed better work habits and started to play better. They are the ones that Byron needs to call out if they ever want to be serious basketball plays on a playoff team.
 
I think Scott is doing it right. Some of you praise him for his development of Kyrie while bashing him about Samardo and Eyenga at the same time. It all comes down to work ethic. Kyrie wants it. Look how Scott pushed him to earn the starting job. I feel Samardo just looks down the bench at guys like Harangody and just feels he's entitled to get minutes over him. Scott is doing everything he can to get him motivated. Watching a guy of lesser talent should be enough motivation for Samardo to work his butt off and earn minutes. If he doesn't, I'm perfectly content with Luke playing, because sometimes his hustle pays off.
 
Samardo has plenty of incentive - and if he didn't realize that an undrafted player like him is just a phone call away from never playing in the league again ... well, maybe this is his wake-up call.
 
I remember reading before that Scott used to put a lot of people in the doghouse. They would get traded away and explode (usually) but they were players with little drive to work. I am thinking of JR Smith and Brandon Bass. Julian Wright would be the counterexample here.
 
I remember reading before that Scott used to put a lot of people in the doghouse. They would get traded away and explode (usually) but they were players with little drive to work. I am thinking of JR Smith and Brandon Bass. Julian Wright would be the counterexample here.

I find it interesting that neither JR Smith nor Brandon Bass despite there obvious talent have never come close to maximizing it. I'd say Scott has been pretty good about figuring out whose going to be one of those guys you want in the trenches in a tough playoff game (not one that will shoot your team in foot like SR)
 
From Jason Lloyd/ABJ:


Scott has benched and criticized Erden this season for not giving full effort in games, and now he’s doing it with Samuels. Asked what is keeping him out of the lineup, Scott responded bluntly “energy and effort. It’s that simple.”

Samuels had a productive rookie season at power forward after going undrafted, but is struggling miserably with a change to center in his second year. Scott talked with Samuels earlier this week and told him his chances are running out.

“Opportunities are not going to keep coming,” Scott said in a clear sign he’s growing impatient. “Pretty soon, that well is going to dry up.”

Scott said he has taken everything away from Samuels except his uniform.

“That’s the last step,” Scott said.
 
Scotts force of personality is generally a good thing and his honesty in the press is refreshing, but i don't think his handling is working for samardo. A good leader adapts their leadership style to achieve the desired results from his team. Either we are going to lose samardo and another team, like the spurs, get him and he blossoms, or samardo is a real iodiot and hes out of the league. I hope for byrons sake its the latter.
 
Austin Carr said:
Besides Tristan up front, I thought Samardo played well, within himself, on Sunday. He and I were talking before the game. And I said: ‘Look, if you get the ball at the top of the key, take two more dribbles – it’s the foul line and the elbows that you want to get to.’

As a player, you have to understand where your “efficiency areas” are. When you watch film, look where you make your baskets. Look where you miss your baskets. Now, you’re a smarter player when you’re out there because you’re aware of your efficiency areas.

That’s what the pro game is about. It’s about understanding your weaknesses and strengths and trying to function as much as you can in the strong areas and working to improve your weak areas. It’s about work, work, work. And you stick to it.

I think Samardo took one crazy outside shot. But everything else was right in that area. And if he gets the ball around the basket, look out! Because he’s a load down there.
from http://www.cavfanatic.com/blogs/from_deep_in_the_q/_back-hunt

samardo had a good game last night. i hope byron gives him some more pt.
 
I don't care what's going on- Hollins or Harangody should not be playing over Samuels.

This is Cleveland we can't afford to let talent walk out the door.

These guys are all man-children who have been given everything since they were young, as an organization you have to be able to reach them. At a certain point it goes on the staff and franchise versus the player, not everyone is going to be a model citizen by any stretch of the imagination. Using the "stick" on everyone is foolish, some need the "carrot."
 
*shrugs* ... or you just show the high-maintenance types the door. Scott has his method of coaching, and while he's claimed to have mellowed some, it is what it is.

I'm all for getting a HC the type of player he can work the best with. No need to make things harder than they are ...
 

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