14 takeaways from Cavs win over Bucks: Sam Merrill has ‘probably been our best player’

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 118-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in their home opener, overcoming periods of inconsistent offense and defense. Head coach Kenny Atkinson praised Sam Merrill as "probably our best player," highlighting his exceptional performance, which included scoring 17 points with a 4-9 record from three-point range and a game-high +17 plus/minus rating.

Merrill's strong showing is part of a consistent trend, as he recorded 22 and 19 points in the previous two games, maintaining a 51.7% three-point shooting average over three games. Beyond his scoring, he has established himself as a reliable defensive player, with teammate Donovan Mitchell noting that Merrill was one of the team's best defenders last year and continues to excel this season, overcoming earlier perceptions of being a defensive liability.

Merrill attributes his defensive improvement to increased strength and experience, allowing him to be more physical and reduce fouls while effectively contesting plays. His offensive prowess, particularly his lethal outside shooting, has influenced the starting lineup by creating havoc for opponents, as defenses struggle to cover dynamic players like Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter while accounting for Merrill's presence.

Although Merrill is expected to return to a bench role once Darius Garland recovers, integrating his minutes with key players like Mitchell and Mobley is considered beneficial. He humbly disagreed with Atkinson's assessment of him as the team's best player, emphasizing that others have more challenging roles but appreciating the recognition for his contributions beyond scoring, such as making winning plays.