5 minutes with no stats in a 1 pt game vs. Celtics. Looks like, minute-wise he's #10 in the rotation. When the injuries and covid start adding in, he appears to be primed to get some pretty decent minutes. He just has to do what he does best....shoot the rock.

Bank Shot wrote: ↑

December 24th, 2020, 9:45 am

5 minutes with no stats in a 1 pt game vs. Celtics. Looks like, minute-wise he's #10 in the rotation. When the injuries and covid start adding in, he appears to be primed to get some pretty decent minutes. He just has to do what he does best....shoot the rock.

First quarter mins as well. Good for Sam.

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

December 24th, 2020, 10:04 am

Yeah it was his first game and just the fact that he got in for first half minutes as the 60th pick shows they believe in him. He is in a good spot. If he is good enough and can help the Bucks win, Budenholzer will play him.

The fact that he played over Torrey Craig speaks volumes.

So what happened when he was in? Did he just not touch the ball a lot...also how was his defense?

ThunderAggie wrote: ↑

December 24th, 2020, 11:09 am

So what happened when he was in? Did he just not touch the ball a lot...also how was his defense?

Defense was solid. Wasn’t used in the offense at all. He was thrown one errant pass and that was pretty much it!

0 on +/- so that's good... Or at least not bad

We can watch him and the Bucks mid-day on Christmas on ABC when they host the Warriors.

dogie wrote: ↑

December 24th, 2020, 5:48 pm

We can watch him and the Bucks mid-day on Christmas on ABC when they host the Warriors.

There could be some garbage time in that one as well

Sam has been playing for just over 2 minutes and has 3 points (1-1) with 3 assists and 2 rebounds!!

Sam’s final stats:

6 points (2-2 from 3, 0-1 from 2 but should have been goal tend on Wiseman)
4 assists
3 rebounds
1 steal
1 turnover (called a carry but if it was a star player would not be called)

Really impressive stats for Sam today. In 7:37 minutes 6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal. He did have 1 turnover. Although it was garbage time he made the most of it. The 4 assists and 2 offensive rebounds really stand out to me. Really happy for him.

ThunderAggie wrote: ↑

December 25th, 2020, 3:01 pm

Sam’s final stats:

6 points (2-2 from 3, 0-1 from 2 but should have been goal tend on Wiseman)
4 assists
3 rebounds
1 steal
1 turnover (called a carry but if it was a star player would not be called)

Darn I meant to turn on the 4th quarter. Was he playing some point?

Great job Sam, so happy for him. It was garbage tine, but he made the most of it. Keep playing like this and put pressure on the coach to give more minutes.

Here’s a crazy stat:

Sam was 2-2 from 3
Steph Curry was 2-8 from 3

He was in Curry's head because Steph knew he was an inferior shooter.

slcagg wrote: ↑

December 25th, 2020, 3:02 pm

ThunderAggie wrote: ↑

December 25th, 2020, 3:01 pm

Sam’s final stats:

6 points (2-2 from 3, 0-1 from 2 but should have been goal tend on Wiseman)
4 assists
3 rebounds
1 steal
1 turnover (called a carry but if it was a star player would not be called)

Darn I meant to turn on the 4th quarter. Was he playing some point?

He traded off but ran some point. He had a nice assist on a transition dunk. His second 3 was impressive, deep and off the dribble.

Seriously filled up the stat sheet in the time he was out there. Two of his rebounds were ORs. +6 in +/-

We need to designate someone to record just Sam Merrills minutes for each game and upload it somewhere.

Here is one of his assists:

The platitudes just keep a comin' on the Bucks fan forum, that is referenced in earlier posts. I just bookmarked it and keep checking in and it really makes you proud of Sam. There's some interesting comments about usage and I'll just put this in as as example, because I think it's pretty spot on as far as what's best for Sam.

"I love that we have 70 more regular season games to continue to mold our young talent. I love that to earn a spot in the rotation they need to beat out Pat C, a player who's earned his spot by bringing huge energy and selflessness every single night. What a great development set up. Do I want them both to beat out Patty? Sure, but I don't want it gifted to them. It'll make them great to have to earn it.

The rotation will change numerous times throughout the season, but I think by the time we get to the playoffs, at least one of the rooks will be a major contributor."

There's also a post stating that Sam is the most universally liked Buck on the forum.

Sam’s final stats:

7 minutes
3 points (1-2 FG, 1-1 3PT)
3 rebounds
2 assists
1 foul

Sam has been doing it all and his confidence shows. Him and Nwora the other rookie both came in for the final 7 minutes and lit up the stat sheet. Nwora had 9 points. Bucks fans on Twitter love Sam and Nwora and can’t believe they aren’t getting much playing time.

Yeah, Sam and Nwora should be getting Forbes and pats minutes! Forbes went 0-4 in 17 minutes and didn't play great defense.

Already on their message board, there is someone wanting Merrill to be the starting PG on the Bucks. Bucks are playing guards that should be not playing double digit minutes. Season points per minute, Merrill is close to .5 which is about as good as the starting guards. Merrill is at about .3 assists per minute which as good the starters. Merrill has about .3 rebounds per minute.
Merrill in his last 2 games has averaged 7.5 minutes per game, 4.5 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, .5 steals per game, .5 PFs per game, and .5 TOs per game.

It looked like Sams missed shot was supposed to be an alley oop, but the guy ditched on the play. It’s not often he nearly air balls it. Sam also got his own offensive rebound on that play, then followed up with an assist for a 3. Pretty good trash time minutes.

He was tied for the highest +\- on the team!

86% on 3's for the season ain't bad.

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

December 28th, 2020, 12:08 pm

86% on 3's for the season ain't bad.

And performing well in every other area. At this rate, he'll earn his minutes for sure.

Through 3 games Sam is leading Malachi Flynn in minutes played 21-1.

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

December 28th, 2020, 12:08 pm

86% on 3's for the season ain't bad.

He is 100%. Pre-season misses don't count.

https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/40 ... am-merrill

Bank Shot wrote: ↑

December 28th, 2020, 12:22 pm

Through 3 games Sam is leading Malachi Flynn in minutes played 21-1.

Dkdavis wrote: ↑

December 28th, 2020, 1:19 pm

Bank Shot wrote: ↑

December 28th, 2020, 12:22 pm

Through 3 games Sam is leading Malachi Flynn in minutes played 21-1.

Why would you even put someone into a game for one minute?

Garbage time

Sam is leading 3-point percentage right now for the league.