What Changes for Lakers with Dennis Schroder Back on Floor?

The Los Angeles Lakers are such a potent force that a few losses do not bother them much. But things had begun to bother them when they lost four games in a row with no Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder in their playing roster.

In the absence of these two names, coach Frank Vogel tried different combinations and promoted Markieff Morris, Wesley Matthews, and even Talen Horton-Tucker to the starting five, but nothing worked. It all only fell in place when Dennis Schroder came back and they won against the Blazers and the Warriors. So how important is Dennis to them?

Dennis Schroder and his many qualities

Dennis the Menace is elite at his ball-handling and goes a long way at becoming the support system for LeBron James. He is a kind of filler for the void that Rajon Rondo left when he parted ways from the Lakers. Dennis can start every game for his side and can also take the role of a bench leader whenever need be. It is his back-court finesse that makes him an even more important piece for coach Vogel’s Chessboard. In all aspects, he is the next man after AD who can complement LeBron’s game and the world saw that in their blowout victory over GSW where Dennis scored 12 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebs.

In the 2020-21 season so far, he has averaged 14.5 points in the 30 games that he has played. For sure, the stats suggest that he is averaging his lowest in the last five seasons with a declining 3P%, but one must also consider that he is playing alongside the names like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. So this is not the Atlanta Hawks where he is the go-to scorer for the team, and hence those numbers do not reflect the impact he is making on the roster.

Read also – Lakers’ Dennis Schroder Drops Hint About Signing a Contract Extension

Why do the Lakers see a future with him?

Dennis Schroder is just 27-YO and so is Anthony Davis, which makes the two the future of the Lakers when LeBron James leaves the floor for good. This is an assumption, given Dennis extends his contract with the defending champions and stays loyal for very long. 

He brings a lot on the floor, even in terms of leadership because he has the capability to inspire the bench and bring out the best in them. When it comes to leading by doing, he shows his potential by staying creative around the rim. He can play off the ball, he is slippery off the dribble, good at creating space, and plays decent iso. All that, coupled with his accurate passes to AD and Bron, makes him a key figure in today’s champion squad. 

His only downside is the pick-and-roll where he has been struggling and also the playmaking that is still far from that of Playoff Rondo. But with time and experience, he can get those things in place and become a reliable figure.

Are you a Schroder fan? Why or why not? Help us know in the comments below.