Slingin' Sammy "Super Soaker" Merrill

[CavsFanJapan]

So this guy is basically our new Kyle Korver, right?

If he misses a wide open 3 in game 4 of the NBA finals that leads to a Durant 3 at the other end then yes.

 

[2 For The Brew]

So this guy is basically our new Kyle Korver, right?

Poorman’s Korver. Sam has to prove it in the playoffs.

 

[Jscc]

If he misses a wide open 3 in game 4 of the NBA finals that leads to a Durant 3 at the other end then yes.

I'm not even sure he will get that chance to %$#& up.

 

[B Mac]

If he misses a wide open 3 in game 4 of the NBA finals that leads to a Durant 3 at the other end then yes.

7 years later and still too soon.

 

[Meatwad]

I can't stop thinking about the use of Merrill in Game 1. There has to be a change coming here.

What do we know?

4 minutes
0-2 from the field (both 3s)
Magic honed in on him when Cavs had the ball. Some fear there. Don't let this dude get open.
The Cavs clearly told him: If you touch the ball, shoot the ball. Shooters gotta shoot. It didn't work out in his two attempts.
The Magic attacked him when they had the ball. Find the man he guards, or, switch until you get him. Then go at him.

What can JBB & staff change?

1. Take him off the floor completely. He is a defensive liability, he's too young, he's too soft.

I think this approach would be a shame. He's the one sharp shooter we have without Wade. To just write him off as a bad fit for the series would be a waste.

2. Give him more minutes. 10-15. Draw up plays specifically designed for him ala Cavs Korver.

IMO, This is the way.

On offense, he can stretch the floor like no one else. He provides a little danger. If he gets hot, the floor is going to open for everyone else. Spacing is king. I think you have to let a young player find himself. He needs to land. We can't just expect him to jack up 3's in a bailout situation on a blown play. There's opportunity here to draw up screens, put him in motion all over the floor. Let him be rip hamilton running circles until he gets to his spot and hit him. And when a dude gets 15 minutes, he can miss a shot or 3. Then he can hit the fourth. And the fifth. Let him at least try to find his touch.

On the defensive side of the ball, we gotta help him out. Orlando isn't going to shoot you off the floor, so if he gets in a bad spot, help him. Switch every screen. Help him on D so he can help you on O.

Either way, him getting 4 minutes is just flat out dumb. Both the Cavs and Merrill get nothing out of 4 farty minutes. Let him cook a little, or take him off the floor entirely.

I say let the kid play. If by Game 4 the results aren't there, OK, sit him down for the series.

What do you guys think?

 

[Adam]

I can't stop thinking about the use of Merrill in Game 1. There has to be a change coming here.

What do we know?

4 minutes
0-2 from the field (both 3s)
Magic honed in on him when Cavs had the ball. Some fear there. Don't let this dude get open.
The Cavs clearly told him: If you touch the ball, shoot the ball. Shooters gotta shoot. It didn't work out in his two attempts.
The Magic attacked him when they had the ball. Find the man he guards, or, switch until you get him. Then go at him.

What can JBB & staff change?

1. Take him off the floor completely. He is a defensive liability, he's too young, he's too soft.

I think this approach would be a shame. He's the one sharp shooter we have without Wade. To just write him off as a bad fit for the series would be a waste.

2. Give him more minutes. 10-15. Draw up plays specifically designed for him ala Cavs Korver.

IMO, This is the way.

On offense, he can stretch the floor like no one else. He provides a little danger. If he gets hot, the floor is going to open for everyone else. Spacing is king. I think you have to let a young player find himself. He needs to land. We can't just expect him to jack up 3's in a bailout situation on a blown play. There's opportunity here to draw up screens, put him in motion all over the floor. Let him be rip hamilton running circles until he gets to his spot and hit him. And when a dude gets 15 minutes, he can miss a shot or 3. Then he can hit the fourth. And the fifth. Let him at least try to find his touch.

On the defensive side of the ball, we gotta help him out. Orlando isn't going to shoot you off the floor, so if he gets in a bad spot, help him. Switch every screen. Help him on D so he can help you on O.

Either way, him getting 4 minutes is just flat out dumb. Both the Cavs and Merrill get nothing out of 4 farty minutes. Let him cook a little, or take him off the floor entirely.

I say let the kid play. If by Game 4 the results aren't there, OK, sit him down for the series.

What do you guys think?

I think he has to share the floor with Mitchell and Allen. Keep running the pick and roll and trust Mitchell to find him. I know they have been keeping Allen Mitchell and Strus together but I think Sam and Mitchell okay so well together.

 

[jmilo]

I think he has to share the floor with Mitchell and Allen. Keep running the pick and roll and trust Mitchell to find him. I know they have been keeping Allen Mitchell and Strus together but I think Sam and Mitchell okay so well together.

I feel like our coaching thinks of Merrill as Jordan Clarkson. When we lack offense (one of Garland/Mitchell is sitting and Strus isn't in) then put him on the floor to give you an offensive option.

I think this is misusing him. He's not a shot creator. He's a shot maker. He's not the entree. He's the seasoning.

Put him out there with the guys who consume the defense's attention, and let Merrill drain wide-open threes off the offense those guys create.

 

[Futuredome]

JB doesn't know how to use Merrill and never will

 

[Lee]

I can't stop thinking about the use of Merrill in Game 1. There has to be a change coming here.

What do we know?

4 minutes
0-2 from the field (both 3s)
Magic honed in on him when Cavs had the ball. Some fear there. Don't let this dude get open.
The Cavs clearly told him: If you touch the ball, shoot the ball. Shooters gotta shoot. It didn't work out in his two attempts.
The Magic attacked him when they had the ball. Find the man he guards, or, switch until you get him. Then go at him.

What can JBB & staff change?

1. Take him off the floor completely. He is a defensive liability, he's too young, he's too soft.

I think this approach would be a shame. He's the one sharp shooter we have without Wade. To just write him off as a bad fit for the series would be a waste.

2. Give him more minutes. 10-15. Draw up plays specifically designed for him ala Cavs Korver.

IMO, This is the way.

On offense, he can stretch the floor like no one else. He provides a little danger. If he gets hot, the floor is going to open for everyone else. Spacing is king. I think you have to let a young player find himself. He needs to land. We can't just expect him to jack up 3's in a bailout situation on a blown play. There's opportunity here to draw up screens, put him in motion all over the floor. Let him be rip hamilton running circles until he gets to his spot and hit him. And when a dude gets 15 minutes, he can miss a shot or 3. Then he can hit the fourth. And the fifth. Let him at least try to find his touch.

On the defensive side of the ball, we gotta help him out. Orlando isn't going to shoot you off the floor, so if he gets in a bad spot, help him. Switch every screen. Help him on D so he can help you on O.

Either way, him getting 4 minutes is just flat out dumb. Both the Cavs and Merrill get nothing out of 4 farty minutes. Let him cook a little, or take him off the floor entirely.

I say let the kid play. If by Game 4 the results aren't there, OK, sit him down for the series.

What do you guys think?

JBB handled him right, see if he can get hot, see if he can get open. Its a game to game thing, and I also agree with the quick hook.

 

[Meatwad]

JBB handled him right, see if he can get hot, see if he can get open. Its a game to game thing, and I also agree with the quick hook.

Not enough minutes for anyone to get hot, I think.

 

[Otsego Mar]

I can't stop thinking about the use of Merrill in Game 1. There has to be a change coming here.

What do we know?

4 minutes
0-2 from the field (both 3s)
Magic honed in on him when Cavs had the ball. Some fear there. Don't let this dude get open.
The Cavs clearly told him: If you touch the ball, shoot the ball. Shooters gotta shoot. It didn't work out in his two attempts.
The Magic attacked him when they had the ball. Find the man he guards, or, switch until you get him. Then go at him.

What can JBB & staff change?

1. Take him off the floor completely. He is a defensive liability, he's too young, he's too soft.

I think this approach would be a shame. He's the one sharp shooter we have without Wade. To just write him off as a bad fit for the series would be a waste.

2. Give him more minutes. 10-15. Draw up plays specifically designed for him ala Cavs Korver.

IMO, This is the way.

On offense, he can stretch the floor like no one else. He provides a little danger. If he gets hot, the floor is going to open for everyone else. Spacing is king. I think you have to let a young player find himself. He needs to land. We can't just expect him to jack up 3's in a bailout situation on a blown play. There's opportunity here to draw up screens, put him in motion all over the floor. Let him be rip hamilton running circles until he gets to his spot and hit him. And when a dude gets 15 minutes, he can miss a shot or 3. Then he can hit the fourth. And the fifth. Let him at least try to find his touch.

On the defensive side of the ball, we gotta help him out. Orlando isn't going to shoot you off the floor, so if he gets in a bad spot, help him. Switch every screen. Help him on D so he can help you on O.

Either way, him getting 4 minutes is just flat out dumb. Both the Cavs and Merrill get nothing out of 4 farty minutes. Let him cook a little, or take him off the floor entirely.

I say let the kid play. If by Game 4 the results aren't there, OK, sit him down for the series.

What do you guys think?

Yup, 4 stinky farty minutes. Might as well not play him at all. But, option 2 is the way.

We may not need his shooting all that much this series. Now, should we play Boston.....

 

[Meatwad]

I had some time to kill so I dug a little deeper into the game. It's not much, just 4 minutes of game action.

2nd Q - 10:19
Merrill checks in for Levert

On the floor:
Garland
Merrill
Okoro
Niang
Mobley

Certainly not the lineup you're looking for @Adam.

This is not an ideal lineup for Merrill, he's the only "real" shooting threat out there. Editing out my dumb take.

Possessions, looking only at Merrill involvement:

Magic 1
No action

Cavs 1
Merrill on-ball screen for Niang. Mobley posts up. No further Merrill involvement.

Magic 2
No action

Cavs 2
No action. Merrill sits in corner, Garland mid-range jumper.

Magic 3
Screen set for Fultz, Cavs switch Merrill onto Fultz.
Fultz overpowers and gets to the rim easily, draws 3 defenders, kicks for a wide open Ingles 3.

Cavs 3
No action. Merrill sits in corner, Garland mid-ranger jumper, fouled before the shot.

Cavs 4
Merrill is used as a sort of decoy. Mobley-Garland P/R, Mobley draws switch, easy 2.

Magic 4
Fultz goes at Merrill twice. Solid defense. Possession results in a turnover.

Cavs 5
Cavs push in transition, Niang draws foul.

Cavs 6
Merrill decoy. Again, Mobley-Garland P/R, Mobley draws switch, easy 2.

Magic 5
No Merrill action. Cavs in a 2-3 zone.

Cavs 7
Okoro pushes in transition. Find Merrill as trailer. Franz Wagner recognizes, closes hard, tips it.

Magic 6
Magic in transition. Anthony takes Merrill 1-on-1, draws foul.

Cavs 8
No Merrill action. Mobley-Garland P/R. Merrill gets offensive board.

Cavs 9
Merrill gets an open corner 3 on a broken play. Miss.

Magic 7
Merrill attacked on ball with 2 screens. Nice help D by teammates.

Cavs 10
No Merrill action. Standing around. Garland 3, miss.

Magic 8
No Merill action. Good hustle rebound by him.

Timeout Cavs and that’s it for Merrill in Game 1.

My takeaways:
1. Not a single play drawn up for Merrill.
2. Orlando attacked Merrill on 4 of 8 possessions. He held his own on one, did not on another, got help on the other two.
3. This is not a good use of this player.

Hope to see something a little more interesting in Game 2, or like i said, just take him out entirely.

 

[Lee]

I had some time to kill so I dug a little deeper into the game. It's not much, just 4 minutes of game action.

2nd Q - 10:19
Merrill checks in for Levert

On the floor:
Garland
Merrill
Okoro
Niang
Mobley

Certainly not the lineup you're looking for @Adam. This is not an ideal lineup for Merrill, he's the only "real" shooting threat out there.

Possessions, looking only at Merrill involvement:

Magic 1
No action

Cavs 1
Merrill on-ball screen for Niang. Mobley posts up. No further Merrill involvement.

Magic 2
No action

Cavs 2
No action. Merrill sits in corner, Garland mid-range jumper.

Magic 3
Screen set for Fultz, Cavs switch Merrill onto Fultz.
Fultz overpowers and gets to the rim easily, draws 3 defenders, kicks for a wide open Ingles 3.

Cavs 3
No action. Merrill sits in corner, Garland mid-ranger jumper, fouled before the shot.

Cavs 4
Merrill is used as a sort of decoy. Mobley-Garland P/R, Mobley draws switch, easy 2.

Magic 4
Fultz goes at Merrill twice. Solid defense. Possession results in a turnover.

Cavs 5
Cavs push in transition, Niang draws foul.

Cavs 6
Merrill decoy. Again, Mobley-Garland P/R, Mobley draws switch, easy 2.

Magic 5
No Merrill action. Cavs in a 2-3 zone.

Cavs 7
Okoro pushes in transition. Find Merrill as trailer. Franz Wagner recognizes, closes hard, tips it.

Magic 6
Magic in transition. Anthony takes Merrill 1-on-1, draws foul.

Cavs 8
No Merrill action. Mobley-Garland P/R. Merrill gets offensive board.

Cavs 9
Merrill gets an open corner 3 on a broken play. Miss.

Magic 7
Merrill attacked on ball with 2 screens. Nice help D by teammates.

Cavs 10
No Merrill action. Standing around. Garland 3, miss.

Magic 8
No Merill action. Good hustle rebound by him.

Timeout Cavs and that’s it for Merrill in Game 1.

My takeaways:
1. Not a single play drawn up for Merrill.
2. Orlando attacked Merrill on 3 of 8 possessions. He held his own on 1, helped twice.
3. This is not a good use of this player.

Hope to see something a little more interesting in Game 2, or like i said, just take him out entirely.

Niang is a real shooter and so is Garland, obviously he has done better with Mitchell, but lets not pretend Niang and Garland arent shooters.

He got 2 open shots, its hard to use Merrill in the playoffs because the defense is that bad and you dont want Orlando to get hot. I rather see Merrill come in with Mitchell, but the quick yank is fine too, we will see how he is used tonight.

 

[Meatwad]

Niang is a real shooter and so is Garland, obviously he has done better with Mitchell, but lets not pretend Niang and Garland arent shooters.

That's fair, they both can shoot it damn well. I undersold the spacing on the floor. Even Okoro & Mobley can knock it down if you leave them open.

He got 2 open shots, its hard to use Merrill in the playoffs because the defense is that bad and you dont want Orlando to get hot. I rather see Merrill come in with Mitchell, but the quick yank is fine too, we will see how he is used tonight.

He got two shots, yes. 1 on a broken play, 1 in transition that resulted in a fantastic close out block.

Draw something up for the kid or don't bother.

 

[Lee]

That's fair, they both can shoot it damn well. I undersold the spacing on the floor. Even Okoro & Mobley can knock it down if you leave them open.


He got two shots, yes. 1 on a broken play, 1 in transition that resulted in a fantastic close out block.

Draw something up for the kid or don't bother.

Yes Okoro and Mobley can knock down an open 3, but you still lay off them from 3, so their shooting helps from a scoring stand point, but has almost zero gravity, but you you know this I am sure.

As for drawing up a play, he is out there to punish the defense if they leave him open. Broken 3 plays is why he is out there. I am a huge Merrill fan and watch him closely when he is out there, he just wasnt getting open. Maybe he will come in tonight with Mitchell, the other shooters dont matter as much as long as they are there,

But we have all seen Merrill get hot and 3 quick 3 pointers blows a lead wide open. He does it enough to see if he can do it, but you have to be careful Orlando doesnt get a groove on offense because of him. I am not a JBB fan, but I am not mad at a quick hook after he started getting abused on defense