I’m not sure many people have compared Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard Sam Merrill to Michael Jordan. Head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t do so, but he felt the need to clarify that Merrill isn’t Jordan after
the effusive praise he threw Merrill’s way when asked about his impact before the team’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns on New Year’s Eve.
The Cavs are 12-5 this season when Merrill plays and 6-11 when he doesn’t. According to Atkinson, this isn’t a coincidence.
“That’s how important the guy is,” Atkinson said. “He’s playing through a lot. I told him, ‘You with one arm and one hand are better than…we need you out there.”
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Merrill missed a month with a hand injury after hurting it in a November win over the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Atkinson, he can’t even shake his hand after games because of the pain he’s in.
“He could’ve played in the Tim Kempton era,” Atkinson said. “The guy is just a nut in a good way. He’s just an absolute tough dude.”
The Cavs have been noticeably better this season when Merrill is on the floor. The team’s net rating jumps by 3.5 points (66th percentile), and their defense is two points per 100 possessions better (63rd percentile) when he’s playing. It’s obvious how he makes the team better offensively with his shooting, but what he’s provided on the defensive end was just as missed when he was out of the lineup.
“When he’s on the floor, we’re really good,” Atkinson said. “[He provides] gravity, defense, connector.”
Merrill is having the most productive season of his career. He’s averaging a career-high 13.1 points per game while shooting 42.1% from three. Those are good numbers, but not ones that necessarily evoke comparisons to His Airness.
“I don’t want to make this guy out to be Michael Jordan, but he’s pretty darn good for us, realy good.”
