Samardo Samuels Growing Up

Samardo Samuels is taking full advantage of Antawn Jamison's finger injury. It has been about a week now since Jamison broke his finger against the 76ers and Samardo Samuels was called upon.

The 6-9, 265 pound rookie made his first career start against one of the toughest teams in the league, the San Antonio Spurs. Samuels faced off against one of his idols while growing up, All-Star and future Hall-of-Famer, Tim Duncan.

Samardo shined, recording his first double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Though the Cavs lost, Samuels impressed and showed the Cavaliers that the undrafted rookie was no fluke.

The week didn't end there for Samardo; he followed his stunning performance with another stellar game on one of the biggest stages in the NBA, Madison Square Garden. Samuels scored 15 points and six rebounds but his toughness and trash talking made a name for himself.

He took several key offensive charges in the game, no bigger than the one he took against Carmelo Anthony with 1.8 seconds in the game. Anthony drove to the basket and laid the ball in and the whistle blew.

The crowd went crazy thinking Anthony would be going to the line to tie the game, however, it was Samuels who took the charge and that won the game.

Samardo has quickly grown up and with the opportunity of playing more the power forward is taking full advantage.

"My Confidence is sky high," he said.

"Right now it's time for me to get better as a basketball player and move forward and get back to where I was growing up."

Samuels grew up in Jamaica and moved to Queens, N.Y. in 2004. He later became High School Player of the Year and then went on to play college ball at Louisville.

It's good to know that players are soaring with confidence at this stage in the season, let's hope it continues.