Following his first season with the OKC Thunder Dennis Schroder noted how much he enjoyed playing here and revealed some telling comments about Billy Donovan.
After a season of Carmelo Anthony and the failed big three experiment; it seemed the OKC Thunder would be mired in a financial situation in order to move on from Melo. Fortunately, the Atlanta Hawks were also looking to move on from Dennis Schroder, and the deal was made. After years of not having a backup for Russell Westbrook, Sam Presti seemed to have hit the jackpot with this deal.
At the time, it could have been considered as a high risk, high reward move. Despite what some analytics indicate, it appears the trade worked out swell for both organizations. Schroder could have come into Oklahoma City with a poor attitude, caused a chemistry rift within the locker room because he became the sixth man; rather than continue to start, or even quit on the team (see Reggie Jackson).
But, he did none of those things. He accepted his role like a total professional, tried on defense (unlike his teammate Russell Westbrook), he and his fiancee had their first son together, and he developed solid relationships with OKC teammates.
In Game 5, there were two separate instances where Schroder prevailed with a level head, and he was there to calm down Westbrook and Paul George.
Here are Dennis’ thoughts on his first season with the OKC Thunder.
Class and character
Schroder opened his press conference by thanking the Thunder organization for his providing him with an opportunity this past season. Dennis also briefly touched on his time in Atlanta, describing while it was different they are both great franchises.
Schroder closed his opening statement by stating, coming to the Thunder helped him, meaning his overall reputation. DS mentioned he was satisfied with the season then added he felt it was way too early for the Thunder to be done playing basketball.
The quote of the day:
Here’s the full Dennis Schröder answer on Billy Donovan. pic.twitter.com/wc7Q8EN3Gr
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) April 25, 2019
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This is not the first instance where a player has mentioned Donovan’s unique coaching philosophy. Carmelo Anthony discussed it last season during his exit interview, and Kevin Durant also revealed he flat out did not like playing for Donovan. Those are only two examples of players critiquing Billy D.
Schroder is just the latest player, on the growing list of players to question Donovan. If; the Thunder does not relieve Donovan of his coaching duties this offseason it will probably be the largest mistake in franchise history. If Donovan is retained and maintains his job for the duration of next season, Oklahoma City will be on a collision course with their fourth consecutive opening-round elimination.
Furthermore, during an earlier question when Schroder was pressed about what it was like playing under Donovan in his first season with the club, this is how he responded: mentioning Billy D was a good coach and great guy, then added he couldn’t say a lot more. Those comments alone reveal a lot. That particular phrase typically means there is not a lot of nice things to say but ample negative comments to be made.
Focus heading into the offseason?
"I’ll try to get stronger, stronger and my shot for sure, three-point shooting. I want to get off the dribble, try to be better in that. That’s the main focus."
Dennis Schroder offseason work will include improving his 3-point shot & shooting off the dribble more. #ThunderUp
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) April 25, 2019
Providing some brutally honest takes on the Portland series:
"I think just like we did from October to February, I think they was 33-20 or whatever in that stretch, and we played great basketball. We did everything together on the defensive end and offensive end. I think we slipped a little bit off after All-Star, didn’t do it together I felt like. And then in the Playoffs, it was like — I don’t know, it was — we was competing. We played hard. But we didn’t do the right things I felt like. They out-competed us and won the series, so that’s the reason why I said that."
Always on Daddy duty:
"I mean, it was all right. I mean, it was the best thing that happened to me in life. It was a change for sure. I mean, to have a baby now, waking up — at first when you don’t have a baby you just think about your girlfriend, but then you wake up and a baby is crying right there. I’ve got to help them. I mean, it was different, but I think I got used to it, and it’s great."
Revealing Russ message for team buy-in:
"I think it’s been three years now that we lost in the first round, and I remember before training camp, Russell was saying, it can’t happen no more. That was my first year, obviously, but I think now what we talked about as a team, I think everybody got to get better individually and then come back here and then get to work, you know. I think just getting on the same page, like I said before, that’s a big key of everything."
Despite Westbrook saying the team “cannot lose in the first round no more”, it ultimately occurred again. Hence, a change must come within the OKC Thunder organization.
Dennis was candid about the situation the Thunder were it, as were most of his teammates, usually listening to Oklahoma City’s exit interviews can feel almost scripted at times. That was not the case in 2019; perhaps it’s a new day in Thunder Land or maybe the players are fed up with the status quo, it could always be a little of both.