Samardo Samuels: Thoughts Observations and Projections

[ArchieBunker7]

Nor Samardo, nor Leuer nor Harangody nor Jones fill the big void we have at center. With Andy's history of injuries and Zeller likely to have foul trouble and not enough strength to battle with the really big guys down low, we will desperately need another big body. Can you imagine Samardo or Leuer battling on the low block against guys like Lopez, Okafor, Bynum etc.?
Is Eric the answer? Probably not. But with his size he may have a better chance to stick than Samuels.

If Andy gets hurt and Zeller gets foul trouble, then you move TT to C for a bit. With his new bulk, a bit of familiarity at the position, and his athleticism he is fine there on a team with little to no playoff aspirations. Rome wasn't built in a day. Eric really has no place on any NBA roster right now. Maybe he gets there one day, but that day really isn't close. I'd rather have good basketball players who understand the game like Jones over some guy we hope may one day get it, and only makes the roster because he has the build of a prototypical C. And, really, how many truly prototypical C's are out there today? Are there enough of them to justify keeping a guy like Eric in case Andy gets hurt and TZ gets in foul trouble and TT can't temporarily fill in? I'm not sold. You cut Jones now, he goes to a team like San Antonio, and he shows us why guys like DeJuan Blair and Chuck Hayes make names for themselves every year, despite obvious physical limitations.

[BankShot]

If some team (any team) short on bigs offer a late second round pick for Sam-Sam, you take it as fast as you can. There is certainly some talent there, but there's a good chance he never reaches his potential....Douglar nailed it.

[NarlCavs]

I just don't see an NBA future for Eric. A lot of the hope for him by many is based on one comment Byron Scott made in summer league and I think we've seen Scott can be a little over the top sometimes with his comments.
Eric is a raw very limited player who has a very long way to go before he can be even somewhat effective on the court. He is already 24 too. I just wouldn't use up a roster spot on him. I'd let him go and then try to get him signed with Canton so you can keep tabs on him if you really do think there's something there.

I think you can get away with Thompson or Samuels playing some minutes at C if necessary. There aren't a lot of decent backup C's in the NBA and many teams use players more suited for PF to fill that spot.

[ArchieBunker7]

I just don't see an NBA future for Eric. A lot of the hope for him by many is based on one comment Byron Scott made in summer league and I think we've seen Scott can be a little over the top sometimes with his comments.
Eric is a raw very limited player who has a very long way to go before he can be even somewhat effective on the court. He is already 24 too. I just wouldn't use up a roster spot on him. I'd let him go and then try to get him signed with Canton so you can keep tabs on him if you really do think there's something there.

I think you can get away with Thompson or Samuels playing some minutes at C if necessary. There aren't a lot of decent backup C's in the NBA and many teams use players more suited for PF to fill that spot.

If you're going to be a one trick pony, in this case a rim protector, you'd better be damn good at it. Eric's numbers really don't jump out at you. Even as men amongst boys in college, he averaged less than 2 blocks per game his last 2 seasons and only 7 boards per.

[Cavatt]

If you're going to be a one trick pony, in this case a rim protector, you'd better be damn good at it. Eric's numbers really don't jump out at you. Even as men amongst boys in college, he averaged less than 2 blocks per game his last 2 seasons and only 7 boards per.

I used to be high on guys like him and Eyenga that had very little basketball experience. The idea was that they had a lot more to learn and had good physical gifts. I am starting to think it is more like language. If you aren't exposed at a young age you never really get it. Eric himself admits that he is just scratching the surface. I don't have a lot of hope for him, but he does have nice size strength, and I saw him hitting jumpers at a good clip before the game. He has a better jumper than TT. Not saying much.

[Douglar]

http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/cava...hance-1.347249

CLEVELAND: Whenever Samardo Samuels has fallen out of the Cavaliers’ lineup previously, it has been his own doing. Whether it was arriving to camp out of shape last season or general ineffectiveness on the court, Samuels has been on a yo-yo his first two years in the league.

This time, it’s different. This time, he did everything asked of him during the summer and in training camp — and he still has started the year behind Luke Walton and out of coach Byron Scott’s rotation. Samuels admits to being discouraged about it. He went home following the shootaround Friday and wondered what else he has to do to get on the court.

Scott’s answer is simple: nothing.

“I told him it was nothing he didn’t do,” Scott said. “It’s just a gut feeling I had and I went with my gut.”

Scott is beginning the year with Walton as his backup power forward because of his experience, passing skills and ability to be a leader on a relatively young second unit. He likes the way Walton can move without the ball and the way he can facilitate for others and be effective without scoring.

But it leaves Samuels in an all-too-familiar place at the end of the bench.

“I just can’t get over that hump,” Samuels said. “This is the hardest I’ve ever worked my whole career. I’m determined to put time and effort into it.”
Samuels was a surprise entrant into the game in the first quarter Friday because Tyler Zeller fell into quick foul trouble, but he isn’t expected to be a regular member of the rotation right now.

Antawn Jamison, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, is still clearly keeping tabs on his former team. He saw Samuels didn’t play in the Cavs’ opener on Tuesday and quickly called him to encourage him. The two spent hours working together during the summer, with Jamison helping to improve his jump shot and court awareness.

“He told me, ‘No matter what, you have to stay professional,’ ” Samuels said. “That kind of gave me a little encouragement for him to take time out of his day. It’s cool he did that.”

Scott keeps reiterating this rotation isn’t permanent. He’s willing to give it a week or so before perhaps making changes. He keeps telling Samuels to stay prepared because his time will come, which was a problem at times in the past.

For now, he has a homework assignment from his mother.

“My mom always tells me when I’m on the bench, I don’t cheer enough,” Samuels said. “I have to work on my cheering so I don’t sit there with that sad face.”

[MYoung23]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...uesa01&y2=2012

[cavsfan1985]

I just don't like his attitude on the court. Defensively he seemed a step late all night, a little slow on the pick and roll, and a second behind getting into rebound position. I think he could be a good end of bench player but he needs to change his attitude. The mindset of I did all you asked, why am I not playing is not the type of player I want on this team. He needs to realize he is getting paid to play basketball. Have fun, work hard and be happy when you are given a chance.

[Douglar]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...uesa01&y2=2012

Robert Traylor, RIP. That's a good comparison. Even though he was a flawed player who couldn't make his flawed team better, Tractor was so much fun to watch that I didn't care.

[godfather]

It boggles my mind this guy is still on the roster. Poor work ethic, Scott constantly sends him to the dog house to get him to work harder, always out of shape, and he's has no talent to show for.

He'll be out of the league pretty soon.

[ajz20]

He is the classic player that is just good enough to make the Nba, but will never be able to develop int anything more than the guy at the end of the bench. We need some serious talent upgrades when it comes to the second team. I am ok with Zeller and Luer coming off the bench, but Walton, Sloan and CJ are unwatchable so far.

[Tornicade]

When a coach says he went with his gut in explaining going with one player of another. It means his head sees Samuels as the better player. I also see no problem with giving a guy who is getting 6 million dollar to play basketball an oppurtunity to play basketball in his first healthy season in 3 years.

That being said. Samuels in one game at 8 minutes demonstrated more production than Walton did in 3 games.

Meanwhile in the very very small sample size of samuels minutes. the bench most effective combinations have been with Samuels on the court. Which sort of stick out at you considering the one game he did play the bench was outscored 65-15.

Eventually Scott will take walton out of the rotation and put Samuels in. Samuels can play with any cmbination of Thompson/Zellers/ AV even leuer.

Samuels Matured this offseason. He has done everything asked from him from the coaching staff and he is smarter than he looks. literally.

[Tecumseh]

How about Samardo tonight showed a nice step back jumper. Something to build on perhaps.

[Lottery God]

How about Samardo tonight showed a nice step back jumper. Something to build on perhaps.

Yeah, and how about that weather? Might rain tomorrow.

[Snarly]

How about Samardo tonight showed a nice step back jumper. Something to build on perhaps.

I had to honestly wipe my eyes when I saw that shot, as I thought that was miles for a second.