CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs’ recent offensive explosion might seem mysterious to casual observers, but listeners of the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast heard something definitive. Sam Merrill is transforming the entire offensive ecosystem.
During the Cavs’ dominant 141-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, podcast host Ethan Sands went into detail about Merrill’s impact, noting, “it feels like over the last couple of days, Kenny Atkinson cannot rave enough about Sam Merrill as a connector, a piece that the Cavs have sorely been missing. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, everybody in the locker room feels the same way.”
What makes Merrill so crucial? It’s about much more than his six made 3-pointers against the Pelicans.
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com Cavs beat reporter, explained that Merrill represents a fundamental component in Atkinson’s offensive system.
“If his offense is going to function at its highest level, at its peak level, it needs a player like Sam Merrow,” Fedor said on the podcast. “It was Joe Harris in Brooklyn. And it doesn’t have to be this high profile future hall of Famer like Steph Curry or Klay Thompson. It just has to be somebody that demands the attention of the opposing defense.”
This attention creates ripple effects throughout the offense. Perhaps most surprisingly, Merrill’s shooting directly contributes to interior scoring opportunities.
Columnist Jimmy Watkins pointed to a startling statistic.
“Sam Merrill’s stat I’m pointing at is 72 points in the paint. ... Sam Merrill is the key that unlocks driving lanes,” Watkins explained.
The podcast discussion highlighted how Merrill’s constant movement, gravity, and two-man actions with both bigs and guards creates advantages that didn’t exist before his return. The entire offense becomes less labored, with cleaner looks and better flow.
“Man, everything looks really difficult for The Cavs out there, they’re having a hard time generating quality looks consistently,” Fedor said about the team’s early-season struggles. “Well, it doesn’t feel as hard as it has at the beginning of this season. And I think Sam’s a big part of that.”
Merrill’s impact extends beyond just shooting. His return coincided with Kenny Atkinson adjusting the starting lineup, moving DeAndre Hunter to the bench. The reconfigured rotation showed immediate dividends, with nine different Cavaliers scoring in double figures against the Pelicans — something that hadn’t happened since 1992.
The Wine and Gold Talk podcast made clear that while the competition (Charlotte and New Orleans) hasn’t been elite, Merrill’s influence represents something potentially sustainable. His role as a movement shooter and connector mirrors what Atkinson has successfully deployed in previous stops.
“It’s very Joe Harris in the Brooklyn system. It’s very Kyle Korver in the Atlanta system,” Fedor explained. “It’s very Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and again, he’s not those guys. But stylistically, it’s the kind of guy that is a linchpin to Kenny Atkinson’s offensive style.”
The true test comes next. A Christmas Day showdown with the New York Knicks followed by games against Houston and San Antonio. But the podcast makes one thing abundantly clear. Sam Merrill has emerged as much more than a role player. He’s become the connective tissue that might just save Cleveland’s season.
Here’s the podcast for this week: