OKC Thunder season preview roundtable Q8: Early impressions of Dennis Schroder

T.I. counts down to the OKC Thunder 2018-19 tip via a preseason roundtable. With two days remaining the focus shifts early impressions of Dennis Schroder.

Question 8:

Dennis Schroder – Based on what you’ve seen in preseason are you all in yet or not?

Lawrence George – @geola388

All in. When the Thunder acquired the German, I knew we were getting a highly skilled point guard whose super effective in pick and roll sets. Adams and Grant were fantastic in the pick and roll last season and adding Schroder gives the Thunder an extra dimension. Many have compared his play to Russ but there’s one fundamental difference – patience.

The German is a natural point guard and waits til opportunities present themselves. Russ had to learn the point guard spot, Schroder is a point guard. As great as Russ is, Schroder’s feel for the game is much better than the Brodie’s.

As for his shooting, it remains to be seen. If he sticks to what he knows in the mid-range then he will be fine. With more threats on the court, Schroder should get more open shots than his time in Atlanta and whether that translates into overall success remains to be seen.

The point man is also a sound defender despite what the metrics have said in his past two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. At just 6’1, Schroder possesses a 6’7 wingspan capable of annoying opposing guards. He was a solid defender when Atlanta were in the playoff mix. There’s no reason to suggest he can’t do the same again here in OKC.

Tamberlyn Richardson – @TTOTambz

All in! I’m eager for Russell Westbrook‘s return, so we finally get to see Schroder get the reserve unit rolling. I appreciate Raymond Felton can score and is a solid veteran voice in the locker room. But, I’ve gone hoarse in games screaming for him to pass to a wide open teammate instead of driving into three opponents to get his own shot. Moreover, I can’t wait to see Schroder on the floor in clutch time with Westbrook.

Many are citing Reggie Jackson as the last solid backup OKC had, but I think the potential exists for Westbrook, George, Adams and Schroder to parallel the only OKC Thunder team to have gone to the NBA Finals which featured Russ and James Harden in the backcourt!

Gideon Lim – @GideonLim_NBA

Not yet. Remeber, the Thunder’s challenge is to function as a squad. We know Schroder can go one-on-one, just like PG and Russ. That’s not his challenge. If Schroder can lead the bench nicely, and even clock up some neat minutes with Russ, then sign me up for Schroder Island.

Dylan Huntzinger – @ThunderChats

As soon as we made the trade to acquire Dennis I was excited because I knew the type of player he was. As soon as I heard that he met with Billy Donovan and Sam Presti to discuss his role and he had bought into it, I declared him 6th Man of the Year on the spot. This is a guy who scored 20 points per game and has an uncanny prowess in the pick-and-roll and just passing in general. He has a tight handle, and is what the younger folk would call “A Walking Bucket”. I’m all the way in, times ten!

Reid Belew – @UpJimbo

Yeah, definitely all in, probably to the point of being irrational. I think he’ll win 6MOY and be a Lou Williams-lite.

Jordan Buckamneer – @jbuckamneer

I’m all in on Dennis Schroeder, but at the same time, I’m staying realistic. Schroder was an excellent point guard for the Hawks, but he was never among the best in the league at that position. So don’t get over anxious because Oklahoma City did not land another superstar in him.

Having said that, Shchroder is the sixth man we’ve been begging for since James Harden left. His presence in the second unit will be a major upgrade from Raymond Felton and will finally allow the team to stay afloat in Westbrook’s absence. There will be nights Schroder scores 20 or more points and other nights score 10 or less. The law of averages will play out, but at the end of the day, he’s just what the doctor ordered for OKC. I can’t wait to see him help us win games.

Amy Li – @realkimchiwitch

Me, dramatically dropping my set of car key into the pile of poker chips: “BET.”

Alex Roig – @AlexRoig_NTTB

I’m ALL IN!

Austin Sternlicht – @The_Sternlicht

Yes. He’s going to be great. He’s my pick for sixth man of the year.

Stephen Dolan – @SteveThunderfan

Oh, I BEEN all in.

Asad Ali Jamal – @SuperCyrax98

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I am extremely excited for Dennis Schröder this season. I thought he was underrated since he came into the league and the Thunder can showcase why he is great by putting him into a situation similar to Westbrook off the bench as well as showcase his skills alongside Russell and the other starters.

Alex Mcewen – @eflame_717

My views on Schröder, have somewhat softened, but the basis for my original concerns are the same. Although Dennis the Menace looked good during the preseason, one pivotal piece of the Thunder puzzle was not present on the court – Russell Westbrook.

Once Westbrook returns, shifting Schröder back to the bench and no problems arise, then I will be sold on his addition. Until that time comes, I remain open to the idea, but far from convinced it will be fruitful.

Rylan Stiles – @Rylan_Stiles

If you asked me before Media Day I would have said not yet. However, a great training camp and preseason leaves me excited to watch the young guard. Those sixth man of the year projections seem more realistic now.

Tailor Finney – @taaayy3

Yes, he has already proven his versatility during preseason and his statistics prove his consistent progress. Plus, we always see prosperity when younger players are inspired by Westbrook’s game mentality. During season we will get to see him under less pressure than we did during preseason, so I look forward to see how he handles that.

This wraps up question eight from the roundtable. As the countdown to season tipoff continues the roundtable returns tomorrow with two days left until season start and the team answer who they are most excited to see and who is their x-factor.