Slingin' Sammy "Super Soaker" Merrill

[CleveRocks]

Sam is rushing his shots, because opposing teams know better than to give him room.. Curry has the quickness, handles and passing skills to punish a defense for chasing him hard.. Sam has the shot, but relies on others to get him the ball in a position to score.. Garand is currently struggling to assist his team mates the way Don does or even Levert..

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

He’s had plenty of time to shoot. Doing his pump fake to send a defender flying and has time to get his shot off. He’s just in a slump and prob playing too many minutes. Not that good maybe.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I don't understand the "too many minutes" thing with Merrill. In the last four games in which he's gone 4-30, he's averaged 20 mpg. Any fewer and the excuse would be that he's not playing enough to get in a rhythm.

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

I don't understand the "too many minutes" thing with Merrill. In the last four games in which he's gone 4-30, he's averaged 20 mpg. Any fewer and the excuse would be that he's not playing enough to get in a rhythm.

I just meant with too many minutes he gets exposed to not being good. 5 minutes with the regular guys and hitting a couple of threes you think you might want to see him more. Plus playing without the regular is probably exposing him more.

 

[guitarguy]

Defenses have figured out a few things with Merrill. They know his tendencies and what works against him. He's going to have to adjust.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Defenses have figured out a few things with Merrill. They know his tendencies and what works against him. He's going to have to adjust.

He's missing wide open 3's where he has plenty of time to sight the target and shoot in rhythm. He has to make those because he's not going to make a high percentage of the ones he hurries to get off before the defender arrives.

That being said, Merrill has played 771 minutes this year after playing 355 his entire career before this season. He's already doubled his career minutes with 17 games to play plus the playoffs. I'm sure he's learned a lot about what he needs to work on in the off season, like getting better at knocking down 3's after pump faking and taking one dribble, or developing a running floater like Garland and Niang - two other guys who are too vertically challenged to make layups except in rare circumstances.

 

[BigZ94]

I think he’s also been playing without Mitchel, those two had fantastic chemistry

 

[Cavatt]

I think he’s also been playing without Mitchel, those two had fantastic chemistry

Mitchell whips the pass before the double gets to him, Garland waits for the double

 

[nolookpass]

I feel like he’s getting the same shots as before. It’s been awhile since the teams have been guarding him more closely. He’s just missing everything

 

[Futuredome]

Mitchell whips the pass before the double gets to him, Garland waits for the double

Nah, his hot streak is just over. It just is.

 

[CavsKermit]

Sam is rushing his shots, because opposing teams know better than to give him room.. Curry has the quickness, handles and passing skills to punish a defense for chasing him hard.. Sam has the shot, but relies on others to get him the ball in a position to score.. Garand is currently struggling to assist his team mates the way Don does or even Levert..

It's almost impressive how certain fans are able to work backwards from a Garland's fault conclusion.

 

[mds]

wrong thread

Aren’t they all

 

[Futuredome]

It's almost impressive how certain fans are able to work backwards from a Garland's fault conclusion.

Again, it's not Garland's fault that Merrill isn't hitting his 3's. During Mitchell's last game vs the Bulls.....Mitchell sets him up in the 2nd quarter with 2 great passes. Merrill clanks both. The Cavs need more shooting. Merrill saved the Cavs in 4 games in December/January alone. We need that guy down the stretch or it will continue being a struggle

It's almost impressive how certain fans are able to work backwards from a Garland's fault conclusion.

 

[BigZ94]

Again, it's not Garland's fault that Merrill isn't hitting his 3's. During Mitchell's last game vs the Bulls.....Mitchell sets him up in the 2nd quarter with 2 great passes. Merrill clanks both. The Cavs need more shooting. Merrill saved the Cavs in 4 games in December/January alone. We need that guy down the stretch or it will continue being a struggle

That’s true but sometimes there are intangibles like personalities on the floor, some guys inspire confidence in others especially shooters.

Look at Hart in New York with Brunson, Hart is playing the best basketball of his career and I think a large part of that his playing with a great friend of his in Brunson.

Of course hot streak cold streaks happens, can be anything with shooting, being in the wrong head space due to personal reasons, small injuries etc

For whatever reason the whole team seems way more fired up when Mitchel is leading the show compared to Garland.

 

[CavsKermit]

That’s true but sometimes there are intangibles like personalities on the floor, some guys inspire confidence in others especially shooters.

Look at Hart in New York with Brunson, Hart is playing the best basketball of his career and I think a large part of that his playing with a great friend of his in Brunson.

Of course hot streak cold streaks happens, can be anything with shooting, being in the wrong head space due to personal reasons, small injuries etc

For whatever reason the whole team seems way more fired up when Mitchel is leading the show compared to Garland.

Hart's season averages are right in line with his career averages. If there's a psychological effect in play with Hart, it comes from seeing the guy defending him wearing a Cavs jersey.