OKC Thunder: History dictates not to worry about Dennis Schroder current slump
OKC Thunder guard Dennis Schroder is in the midst of a post-All Star festivities slump, but historical data shows this should not be a reason to sound the alarm
In Lawrence George’s recent article he broke down how OKC Thunder backup point guard Dennis Schroder has hit a rough patch since the All-Star break. Coincidentally, the OKC Thunder underwent their worst losing streak since starting the season 0 for 4.
He has averaged 16.2 shot attempts a game the last six games while averaging a paltry 13.83 points per game on 42 percent field goal efficiency. Whenever shot attempts exceed points scored, it is always a red flag. Not surprisingly, the OKC Thunder have been outscored by 16 points in his minutes played. Additionally, Schroder has not been able to impact the defensive end as well as he began the season. Schroder is averaging a deficit of 21 between his offensive and defensive rating.
The Positives
His playmaking has still been present (5.3 assists), and he even posted a huge rebounding effort of 12 boards in Sunday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He will have to continue to impact the OKC Thunder’s games by crashing the glass and dishing the rock, especially as he recaptures his shooting rhythm. With 13 of the OKC Thunder’s last 19 games coming against current postseason candidates, both in the East and West, Schroder needs to score big and efficiently.
Previous Years
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Regardless of this rough patch, game data from the past three seasons (2016-2019) shows this stretch should not last. In the 2016-17 NBA season, his first as a starter, Schroder averaged 17.45 points on 45.6 field goal percentage through the first 50 games. To end the season, his scoring dipped to 16 points per game, while shooting more efficiently at 46.5 percent.
Last season, Schroder averaged 20.73 points a game, shooting at 42.6 percent through the first 50 games. He ended the season scoring 19.8 points a game with a 42.8 percent field goal, not experiencing a crazy dropoff.
This NBA season, Schroder averaged 14.89 points per game through the first 50 games, with a 41.2 field goal percentage. Since then, it has been a tale of two halves in his last 12 games. The 6 games prior to the All-Star break, Schroder went on his best run of the season with 18.85 points a game on a great 53.4 percent shooting.
Although his last six have been a disappointment, Schroder arguably endured a similar stretch previously between December 22 and January 24. In that stretch, Schroder went for 13.22 a game on 35.9 field goal percentage.
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History indicates Schroder is pretty consistent start to finish in a season, and he has the capacity to bounce back more likely than not in time for the playoffs.