On Samardo Samuels' early departure

I really hope that he is being pressured to go into the draft. I can’t image he’d be dumb enough to honestly think he could play in anything more than the D-League next year.

And I do happen to agree with Mike’s point, If he doesn’t think he can improve much more, than he should go. But I still think he can improve. He may not be fast, but he can still learn how to play above the rim, jump timing for rebounds, and develop a few more post moves.

I am disappointed that he isn’t staying, but I wish the guy the best.

I’m exhausted. Just beaten down. Like, you could tell me that on his way to the draft Samardo would set fire to the new arena trapping Pitino, Siva, Buckles, Jennings & Coach Strong in the inferno and all I could do is shrug and say: Yeah, that sounds right.

A lack of athletic ability can be offset by tremendous fundamentals and basketball IQ. I think Samuels has room to grow in both areas. At the NBA 4 spot Mardo will need a face up game which can also be developed. Is Dajuan Blair of San Antonio, and formerly Pittsburgh, that much different a player? I just don’t buy the arugment that a player with Samules talent can’t be further developed by Pitino’s coaching staff given two more years. Didn’t Samuels come to the game late? That’s being said…I’d sit bench in Europe for 100K a year.

The kid wants to be a pro, he came to the US to become a NBA player. You could see the frustration every time he made a mistake, faced good D, or faced a premier big man. He obviously thinks hes better then he is and with E5 going last year based on potential…. he was like why not

why Coach Pitino wont even let Swop sniff the SF spot. He didn’t mention him as a possiblity in his presser. Coach knows what he’s doing but I’d still like to know his reasoning.

TJ is a natural center. I never felt he got the opportunity to play at his natural spot. Maybe once RP has to rely on these guys they will get more confidence and play better.
Heres to hoping.

I’m sure this tune could change by December, but today I’m not enthusiastic for it. Jennings is going to have to step it up if this team is going to go places this season. No more waiting for a block opportunity and getting out of position this season. I’m interested to see if he has all the offensive tools.

Hit on all of the points that I think we’ve been harping on since the decision was made. That being said,

I really don’t like what we’re looking at right now for next year. I’m excited to watch these guys grow, and of course I’m wholeheartedly behind them. But Swop/Buckles/Goode/Van Treese just don’t strike the fear of god in anyone. They’re going to have to improve a lot for us to be any good I would think.

I can’t really blame Samuels, but he is in over his head and will have lots of work to do. Could work out in Euro leagues maybe though. He’s got bigger priorities other than pleasing the UofL fan base. Good luck Sam Sam. I look forward to the kids we have and hope they are here for 4 years. Keepin’ it old school that way. Love Pitinos comments about the ‘one and dones’ the other day. He’s the coach me me and my alma mater. College matters people. Let these kids go straight to NBA and let the college game thrive.

I totally agree with you on every aspect. Combine the fact that he did not return T-Will’s call (via today’s Courier-Journal) and his random tweet about going up against critics all his life, I really feel that his head was elsewhere during the season. I think it is best, for him/his family and for the team (for my sanity when he missed a lay-up that should have been a dunk), that he is leaving.

At least TJ isn’t scared to dunk the ball.

I wish Samardo the best in his professional career, be that the NBA or overseas.

I don’t know if you’re predicting he won’t be eligible or just forgot to mention him (if the latter, then shame on you big time), but Justin Coleman is just as important, probably more so than any player you mentioned.

Marra made Pitino look like a fool last year. After calling him the “best HS shooter I’ve ever seen” Marra provided next to nothing other than joke material for other fanbases about his weird tats. Not saying the kid can’t improve, but if we have to rely that much on his development, we’re screwed. Kuric has big time stud potential, but is not a 3. He is a very good 2 with great potential. He should start there next year over Knowles, who I think would be more valuable coming off the bench as the best 6th man in the nation (ala McGee in ‘08-’09). He’s obviously good enough to start, but I just think he’d be a better spark off the bench. Goode and Van Treese will be playing mop up minutes, nothing more. Don’t know why their development is so key for the season, either. Dieng? Yeah, a lot of development needed there, I agree. But Jennings is 100% the guy we need to worry about development, as far as big men go.

The guys we will rely on next year will be Siva, Coleman, Jennings, Dieng, Kuric, Swopshire, PK, and Buckles. Those guys are the key to next year. The others, like Marra, Goode, and Van Treese? If they can develop, great, but all they really need to provide is depth.

samardo and good luck. i wish he would have got his degree,he will need it one of these days.