“These games are difficult. This is not 1992 anymore,” said Steve Kerr, when attempting to provide a defense of Team USA’s performance. The squad’s poor progression during the 2023 FIBA World Cup was a fact that may have haunted fans before a different squad won the Gold Medal in 2024. By the time they lost to Germany, by a 113-111 score in the SFs, their offense was described as stagnant, while their defense was trashed for being almost nonexistent! Therefore, a year later, this may not come as a surprise that Steve Kerr chooses to place faith in Dennis Schroder, who was leading that German unit, at the unfortunate FIBA series for Team USA.

Earlier today, it was reported that the Warriors are finalizing a deal to acquire Dennis Schroder from the Nets. Taking place quite a couple of weeks before the February deadline, the trade is set to send a sidelined De’Anthony Melton, along with PG Reece Beekman.

Discussing the trade, Steve Kerr expressed enthusiasm by stating, “I’m thrilled. I told Dennis today he’s kicked my a*s on three different continents… If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em… Watching him in FIBA the last two summers, (in the) Philippines, and then we played them in London in an exhibition game, he’s a gamer, he’s a competitor, a pick-and-roll player, two-way player.”

Dennis Schroder’s been a regular face in the German National Team- the same one that eventually went on to win Gold in 2023. During the series, he averaged 19.1 points, 2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists over 8 games. His 28 points during the Finals against Serbia allowed him to secure the Finals MVP title too!

Therefore, Steve Kerr may have certainly pulled a Jed Bartlet and hired a Republican! However, if social media users are believed, then they may consider the Warriors head coach’s decision a dicey one due to the 2023 trauma.

How did fans react to Steve Kerr’s enthusiasm regarding Dennis Schroder?

One individual responded to Steve Kerr’s recent remarks, by stating, “He’s also going to play him 6 minutes in the 1q then sub fricken Pat Spencer in”.

As the 5th point guard, the coaching staff has hardly given Pat Spencer time on the court. Over 8 games, he has played an average of only 5.5 minutes. His average points currently stand at 1.8, his rebounds at 0.9, and his assists at 0.5. Despite this, amid the Warriors’ recent offensive troubles, Kerr turned to Pat again, and the coach gave him more rotation minutes in the previous game. According to Blue Man Hoop, giving Spencer the minutes was a strong sign that Kerr reportedly does not trust Brandin Podziemski…

Things may change with Dennis Schroder coming in. However, as the commenter lightheartedly speculated, Kerr may not give Schroder minutes, allegedly, out of spite! Or, he may simply just choose to prioritize Pat Spencer.

Another social media user took a shot at Steve Kerr. He wrote, “All for her to use a shi**y rotation time after time again”. Given the context of the remark, one can presume that the commenter may have meant to write “him”.

Heading into the ongoing season, Steve Kerr came up with some changes to the offensive strategy. “I’ve never played 12 before, but we’re going to do it. It’s not easy on anybody, but we just have to trust that, from one night to the next, we’re going to find guys and combinations that really work,” Kerr had announced. Therefore, continuous rotations have kept players from making regular appearances. However, by late November, it was made clear that the same wasn’t as efficient as it may have been presumed.

Even Stephen Curry indicated believing so. After all, he stated, “It’s hard for anybody to know or try to get a rhythm and know what you’re gonna be asked to do. In the 1 quarter, 2 quarter, we had to play 13 guys. That’s tough. We are a unique team. It’s a unique situation. I don’t think it’s been done in the league by never, but it is an 82-game schedule, and you gotta figure out what adjustments need to (be) made.”

When discussing the rotation, he added, “Do we need to shorten it? We probably need to be more predictable on a night-to-night basis so guys can get a little bit of a rhythm. Is that shortening it one or two guys? Maybe.”

One social media user stated, “Either him (Schroder) or Steph should be on the court at all times”. During the 23 games he played for the Nets before joining the Warriors, Dennis Schroder averaged 33.6 minutes. During the 2023 season, he averaged 30.1 minutes. In the 51 games with the Raptors in the following year, he averaged 30.6. Therefore, he is someone who is used to playing big minutes.

One social media user criticized Kerr’s enthusiasm, by stating, “He needs to stop this. Why are you playing two small guards together??” Whatever strategy Steve Kerr has in mind, its effect won’t be really known until at least a few more games are played.

One individual referenced Kerr’s “kicked my a*s on three different continents” remark by writing “He definitely did (crying emoji) he stole Dennis from New York”. During his tenure with the Nets, Schroder only went up against the Warriors once. He created a memorable impression in that game by scoring 31 points. He accompanied that with 5 rebounds, and 7 assists to deliver the Brooklyn side a win. In fact, Schroder, overall, even holds an 8-2 record (L10) against the Bay Area franchise!

So, the 31-year-old’s NBA stats and the FIBA win may have contributed equally when deciding whether to bring him in. Overall, the majority of reactions were united in being unsure about Steve Kerr’s tactical intentions. No one questioned what Schroder could provide to the team. However, given the HC’s recent troubles, doubts surface on whether he can use the former Nets player efficiently.