Bob Lanier vs. Sam Merrill Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Sam Merrill and Bob Lanier that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

Bob Lanier

vs.

Sam Merrill

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bob Lanier: 1970-71 to 1983-84
Sam Merrill: 2020-21 to 2023-24

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bob Lanier 0 Sam Merrill 1

NBA Seasons Bob Lanier 14 Sam Merrill 4

Playoffs Played Bob Lanier 9 Sam Merrill 2

All-Star Games Bob Lanier 8 Sam Merrill 0

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bob Lanier 20.1 Sam Merrill 6.1

Rebounds Per Game Bob Lanier 10.1 Sam Merrill 1.6

Assists Per Game Bob Lanier 3.1 Sam Merrill 1.4

Steals Per Game Bob Lanier 1.1 * Sam Merrill 0.3

Blocks Per Game Bob Lanier 1.5 * Sam Merrill 0.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Bob Lanier 19,248 Sam Merrill 624

Total Rebounds Bob Lanier 9,698 Sam Merrill 166

Total Assists Bob Lanier 3,007 Sam Merrill 138

Total Steals Bob Lanier 777 * Sam Merrill 31

Total Blocks Bob Lanier 1,100 * Sam Merrill 5

Total Games Bob Lanier 959 Sam Merrill 102

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bob Lanier .514 Sam Merrill .405

3-Point Percentage Bob Lanier .154 * Sam Merrill .398

Free Throw Percentage Bob Lanier .767 Sam Merrill .895

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bob Lanier 25.7 (1972) Sam Merrill 8.0 (2024)

Rebounds Per Game Bob Lanier 14.9 (1973) Sam Merrill 2.0 (2024)

Assists Per Game Bob Lanier 4.6 (1975) Sam Merrill 1.8 (2024)

Steals Per Game Bob Lanier 1.4 (1974) * Sam Merrill 0.8 (2023)

Blocks Per Game Bob Lanier 3.0 (1974) * Sam Merrill 0.1 (2024)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bob Lanier 18.6 Sam Merrill 2.1

Rebounds Per Game Bob Lanier 9.6 Sam Merrill 0.9

Assists Per Game Bob Lanier 3.5 Sam Merrill 0.6

Steals Per Game Bob Lanier 0.9 * Sam Merrill 0.2

Blocks Per Game Bob Lanier 1.5 * Sam Merrill 0.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Bob Lanier 1,244 Sam Merrill 38

Total Rebounds Bob Lanier 645 Sam Merrill 17

Total Assists Bob Lanier 235 Sam Merrill 10

Total Steals Bob Lanier 62 * Sam Merrill 4

Total Blocks Bob Lanier 99 * Sam Merrill 0

Total Games Bob Lanier 67 Sam Merrill 18

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bob Lanier .532 Sam Merrill .333

3-Point Percentage Bob Lanier .000 * Sam Merrill .344

Free Throw Percentage Bob Lanier .768 Sam Merrill 1.000

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bob Lanier 28.0 (1977) Sam Merrill 3.3 (2024)

Rebounds Per Game Bob Lanier 16.7 (1977) Sam Merrill 1.2 (2024)

Assists Per Game Bob Lanier 6.3 (1975) Sam Merrill 0.9 (2024)

Steals Per Game Bob Lanier 1.7 (1981) * Sam Merrill 0.5 (2021)

Blocks Per Game Bob Lanier 4.0 (1975) * Sam Merrill 0.0 (2024)

Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.