The Rise Of Dennis Schröder
By Adam McGee
When Dennis Schroder was drafted in 2013, there was lots of talk. For a guy coming out of Germany, a lot of people seemed to know a lot about him.
At the time of the draft, Sports Illustrated reported that scouts were describing Schröder by saying:
"He’s so poised. The way he weaves in and out of the paint, the way he creates, he is a high-level talent."
After the first glimpses of his bleach blonde stained hair as a pro Stateside came at the Las Vegas Summer League, Kurt Helin of NBC Sports’ Pro Basketball Talk helped to build already high expectations on the young man:
"The one guy in Las Vegas who leapt out to me as a potential steal of a pick was 19-year-old German point guard Dennis Schroder of the Hawks, who was drafted at No. 17."
How high were those expectations though? Well, just ask the man himself, even prior to the draft the talk had begun, he told SB Nation that the comparisons had started:
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“(Rajon) Rondo. Everybody says I play like Rondo.”
If I had told you two years ago that in such a short space of time Schröder would not only be making a more positive impact than Rondo for his team, but be doing so on a team that was in genuine title contention you wouldn’t have believed me.
If I had told you that same story just before this season had started, you would likely have looked to have me locked up. This is where Dennis Schröder and the Atlanta Hawks now find themselves though.
Following a rookie season that saw Schröder tied to the bench, only to get himself into games and be immediately pulled back out due to problems with fouls and turnovers, Hawks fans were only reasonable to question whether this Schröder guy was going to be a bust.
The transformation this season has been incredible though. From a surprising dunk over the Spurs early in the season, to a Larry Bird-esque turnaround jumper against the Washington Wizards, this was simply a player playing with a new found confidence, belief and comfort.
Before the All-Star break (which saw him make an impression as part of the Rising Stars Challenge), in 18 minutes Schröder was averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 assists, while shooting 29.2 percent from deep, and holding a plus/minus of positive 0.2.
That’s a good contribution for a guy who’s still only 21 years old and was completely ineffectual less than twelve months ago.
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In his last nine games since returning to regular season action, Schröder has reached completely new heights again though.
For the spell since in 24 minutes a night, his averages of 12.8 points and 6.7 assists, while shooting a mid-blowing 53.8 percent from deep has led to a plus/minus of positive 2.6.
For a team making a real title push, that level of production off the bench is invaluable. Not only that, but coming from a guy so young, it’s completely unexpected.
No longer is Schröder just the defensive pest, or the flashy passer, or the live wire of energy, instead he’s grown into an all around matchup nightmare.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for “Playoff Schröder”.
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