Michael Cooper vs. Sam Merrill Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Sam Merrill and Michael Cooper 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

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2025-26
Michael Cooper: 1978-79 to 1989-90
Sam Merrill: 2020-21 to 2025-26

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Michael Cooper 5 Sam Merrill 1

NBA Seasons Michael Cooper 12 Sam Merrill 6

Playoffs Played Michael Cooper 11 Sam Merrill 3

All-Star Games Michael Cooper 0 Sam Merrill 0

Honors and Awards

All-Defensive 1st Team Michael Cooper 5 Sam Merrill 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 8 Sam Merrill 0

Defensive Player of The Year Michael Cooper 1 * Sam Merrill 0

* Notes: Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 8.9 Sam Merrill 7.0

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.2 Sam Merrill 1.9

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 Sam Merrill 1.5

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 Sam Merrill 0.5

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 Sam Merrill 0.1

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 7,729 Sam Merrill 1,300

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 2,769 Sam Merrill 348

Total Assists Michael Cooper 3,666 Sam Merrill 273

Total Steals Michael Cooper 1,033 Sam Merrill 90

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 523 Sam Merrill 22

Total Games Michael Cooper 873 Sam Merrill 185

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .469 Sam Merrill .412

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .340 * Sam Merrill .393

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .833 Sam Merrill .928

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 11.9 (1982) Sam Merrill 13.9 (2026)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.1 (1981) Sam Merrill 2.2 (2025)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.9 (1984) Sam Merrill 2.3 (2026)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.6 (1981) Sam Merrill 0.8 (2023)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1981) Sam Merrill 0.3 (2026)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 9.4 Sam Merrill 3.2

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.4 Sam Merrill 1.4

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 Sam Merrill 0.9

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 Sam Merrill 0.3

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 Sam Merrill 0.1

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 1,581 Sam Merrill 84

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 574 Sam Merrill 37

Total Assists Michael Cooper 703 Sam Merrill 24

Total Steals Michael Cooper 203 Sam Merrill 8

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 96 Sam Merrill 2

Total Games Michael Cooper 168 Sam Merrill 26

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .468 Sam Merrill .355

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .392 * Sam Merrill .352

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .825 Sam Merrill .833

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 13.0 (1987) Sam Merrill 5.8 (2025)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.4 (1982) Sam Merrill 2.5 (2025)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.7 (1984) Sam Merrill 1.8 (2025)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 2.0 (1981) Sam Merrill 0.5 (2025)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1984) Sam Merrill 0.3 (2025)

Notes: * Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.