Captain, top performer and dazzling star: Dennis Schröder is the key personality in the German team. The Braunschweiger sets the tone on and off the pitch, but is often criticized.
Dennis Schröder is the most important man in national coach Gordon Herbert’s team. The captain is challenged and takes responsibility. On average, the NBA star has been on the floor for an average of 27 minutes so far at the World Cup, scored 18 points and provided 6.3 assists – all the highest values in the German team.
In the quarterfinals against Latvia, however, Schröder stumbled, hardly made any shots and made poor decisions. Zero three-pointers in eight attempts, only four of 26 shots go into the basket, nine points, four turnovers. A statistical debacle. “That was probably the worst game I’ve ever played in my career,” explains Schröder self-critically.
2023-09-09 16:40:41.187 – 1694277641187
Herbert places complete trust in Schröder
His strong performance in the semifinals against the USA was completely different. He fought for the team and repeatedly got his teammates into good throwing positions. “A win against the USA is very, very cool, but we still have one game. We still have to stay focused and play against strong Serbs,” said the 29-year-old, who has had to endure a lot of criticism in recent years.
Schröder could be the one who lifts the first World Cup trophy in German history at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines on Sunday.
Coach Herbert was already in front of his captain before the semi-final: “He was outstanding in Japan, probably the most valuable player of all teams. To replace the best player? No. You win with him or you lose with him.” And further: “He’s a tough boy. He’ll fight through it. That will make him stronger.”
In the second round game against Slovenia there was still a problem between Herbert and him. In the first quarter of the game, the 29-year-old clashed with center Daniel Theis during a timeout with the score at 11:16, and the two heatedly discussed the German team’s poor performance so far. Herbert had enough: “Sit down!”
When neither Schröder nor Theis showed a reaction, Herbert grabbed his player’s right arm and pulled him towards the bench. “Don’t touch me like that, Coach,” hissed Schröder. Herbert stood firm. Schröder and Theis languished on the bench until the second quarter before they were allowed back on the floor. In the end, Germany won the game comfortably with 100:71 and the two led the way as top performers. The trouble was quickly forgotten and the focus went back to the big goal of winning a medal.
Dennis Schröder’s sporting goals are clear, and the Braunschweig native also knows what he wants off the pitch.
Videos | Wild final phase – Germany in the semi-finals
Quelle: MagentaSport
Schröder becomes a 100 million man
Schröder was selected 17th overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. After five years in Atlanta, he moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder for two years. He then played alongside superstar Lebron James at the Los Angeles Lakers, gambled away in contract negotiations and ultimately signed with the Boston Celtics for the 2021/22 season. He wasn’t happy there and went to the Houston Rockets for a short stint before joining the Lakers again in the 2022/23 season. There, Schröder took advantage of his opportunity and recommended a contract with the Toronto Raptors.
In his ten years in the NBA, the 29-year-old has earned around $77 million in pure salary. His two-year contract in Toronto gives him another 24 million, so he will break the 100 million mark in 2025. Money that Schröder invests.
2023-09-09 14:45:00
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