Dennis Schroder: The Best Point Guard No One is Talking About
Good point guards seem to be a common thing in today’s NBA. Almost every team nowadays has a serviceable point guard. However, only a few teams are lucky enough to have someone who is considered elite. Those prospects are still as rare as ever, but the Atlanta Hawks may be housing someone that is worth generating that kind of buzz.
Enter Dennis Schroder.
Schroder is not exactly new to playing professional basketball. In 2010, Schroder started playing for German club SUM Baskets Braunschweig, a second team of Phantoms Braunschweig. By the 2012-13 season, Schroder made it to the upper tier Phantoms and averaged 12 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 25 minutes per game over 32 games. Many scouts regarded him as the next great overseas prospect, with some having him ranked as the best international point guard on their boards.
All of this was for good reason, as Schroder possesses elite physical tools. His 6’1″, 168-pound frame is similar to Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who is one of the top point guards in the league and a perennial All-Star. Schroder is also lightning quick up and down the floor with and without the ball in his hands. Schroder tested well physically at the 2013 NBA Draft Combine, which led many pro scouts to believe that he was indeed one of the better point guard prospects in the entire 2013 draft class.
In the end, Schroder was drafted 17th overall by the Hawks, and has served as the back-up to Jeff Teague. Schroder has certainly had his moments in the Summer League, putting up better than average scoring totals and showing off his passing ability by racking up the assists. During the regular season and limited playoff time, Schroder has struggled to adjust to the speed of the NBA game until recently this season, as it appears that he has figured out how and when to take advantage of his quickness and play at a fast or slow pace.
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One of the biggest knocks on Schroder last season was that he tended to play too fast all the time. His intensity and willingness to press his man from end to end on defense was well embraced by coach Mike Budenholzer, but on offense he looked lost and had no idea when to go fast and when to go slow.
If he would not make a pass and initiate the offense at the top of the key, Schroder would instead go charging into the lane and look like a deer in headlights when he got there. From there, he would be prone to either miss a runner or turn the ball over trying to pass it out.
Instead of observing the defense and making notes of where his players were and where they were going to shift to, Schroder would ignore all signs and attempt to create his own offense. Of course, there was one problem: he didn’t know how to do that just yet.
Now after having a year and two offseasons to learn Budenholzer’s system, Schroder looks much more comfortable at running an NBA offense. His numbers have increased dramatically from last season in terms of per-36 minute advanced statistics, and he has even found himself on some highlight reels scoring the ball or making a fancy pass.
| Season | G | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 17 | 7.5 | 13.9 | .540 | 0.9 | 3.1 | .280 | 6.6 | 10.8 | .614 | 3.9 | 4.9 | .800 | 3.4 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 19.8 |
| Career | 66 | 5.1 | 11.6 | .442 | 0.7 | 2.6 | .254 | 4.5 | 9.0 | .496 | 2.4 | 3.2 | .735 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 13.3 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/7/2014.
Schroder has been shooting the ball with incredible precision inside the three-point line; outside of it, well that’s been a different story. On a brighter note, over his last seven games, Schroder has made seven of his last 12 three-point attempts, as it seems he is starting to make strides in improving his jump shot.
Overall, his shooting mechanics look much cleaner. His follow-through on his shot is noticeably higher than before, and his confidence in taking jump shots has become stronger than when he first came into the league. This is a good sign, as the better a jump shooter he can become, the more dangerous of a scorer Schroder will be throughout his career.
A lot of people have compared Schroder to Rondo because of their physical capabilities and overall demeanor, but Schroder’s willingness to score and look for his own offense more as opposed to setting plays in motion and being a true point guard is where the comparisons run short.
Here in his highlight clip below, Schroder exhibits his shot-making capability and determination to get past the defense and make the right play. One thing to make note of is that Schroder is not seen at any point crashing into the lane at times when he shouldn’t.
Schroder is taking the time to read the defense and make a quick note of where his teammates are on the floor before trying to make a play with the ball. Spotting up on a catch-and-shoot opportunity is also something that Schroder has taken a liking to, and is certainly a welcome addition to his scoring arsenal, as he has excelled playing next to Teague as a secondary point guard, something that may give him more playing time in the future.
Timing has been the most important part of Schroder’s development as a point guard, and with more experience and playing time, he will continue to capitalize and strengthen this crucial aspect of being a top point guard in the league.
Scoring point guards have become more common in today’s NBA because of the premium that has been put on playing at a faster tempo, racing up and down the floor trying to score as many points as possible. Schroder fits that mold perfectly, and his passing instincts are above average already and will only become more refined as he continues to play more minutes. Notice how playing time is key here, as it is the only way Schroder is going to get the experience that he needs to take his game to the next level.
Does Schroder belong playing with the Hawks, or would his services be better suited for another team? Either way, Schroder’s physical capabilities combined with his intense motor and point guard instincts all make for an elite prospect in the pro game. Very few point guards have the natural ability to do what Schroder is capable of, and that should be a strong selling point for any team looking to make a move for the young talent.
Dennis Schroder has been better than advertised this season, and is truly the best point guard that no one is talking about.
*Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.