Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill has been impressing observers in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, showing that he’s far more than just a one-dimensional shooter.
As Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes, Merrill has worked tirelessly to expand his skill set and prove his worth as a versatile player.
While he is known for his sharp shooting, Merrill has demonstrated growth on the defensive side of the ball, an area where he has made significant strides.
In Game 1 of the series, Merrill was given ample opportunities to showcase his defensive abilities, even logging more minutes than key players like Max Strus and De’Andre Hunter.
His efforts were particularly noticeable on the defensive end, where he fought through screens and contributed effectively in one-on-one situations.
Teammate Jarrett Allen spoke highly of Merrill’s defensive improvement, acknowledging that Merrill might not pass the traditional “eye test” as a defender but still made a considerable impact.
“He doesn’t pass the eye test as a defender,” Allen said.
“I mean, let’s just be honest. But every single play he’s out there, he’s fighting through screens and his one-on-one defense against Andrew Wiggins a couple of days ago was excellent. I think he’s realizing he can be a great shooter like he is already and an excellent defender as well. He’s starting to unlock that for himself.”
Merrill’s growth in defense shows that he is becoming more than just a perimeter threat for the Cavaliers.
Central Notes: Pistons' Turnaround, Mobley, Merrill, Rivers, Horst https://t.co/Ly4iX9TsEg pic.twitter.com/yH1q3gEiow
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 25, 2025
