OKC Thunder: Dennis Schroder turns 27 marking a year chock full of accomplishments

OKC Thunder sixth man Dennis Schroder celebrates 27th birthday in a year full of benchmarks.

It’s been a busy and productive year for OKC Thunder point guard Dennis Schroder. While the team is still assessing this past 2019-20 campaign it’s hard to define it as anything other than a success.

Sure it was another first-round loss but in comparison to the three previous exits in round one, this team battled and came one play short of advancing to play the Lakers in round two. Pretty impressive for a squad no one even remotely thought would be in the playoffs let alone one of the top five teams in the NBA after Thanksgiving.

Several players stepped up to contribute this season and in the postseason with point guard Dennis Schroder key among them.

His inclusion to the trio of point guards who formed the majority of the closing lineup propelled the OKC Thunder in clutch time. That line up became the most dominant and feared closing unit in the Association. Countless opponent previews suggested in the main key to beating the OKC Thunder was ensuring their club held at least a double-digit advantage prior to the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. Thus was the fear that Killer Clutch Time unit sent through the league.

Happy Birthday Dennis Schroder!

Before the season even began the crafty guard played for his National team at the FIBA tournament. Although the German team didn’t gain an Olympic berth, they grew as a unit and Schroder was by far the best player on the squad and became their leader.

Upon joining his teammates in the fall for preseason he got acquainted with the Point God, Chris Paul who he gelled with and who CP3 often cited as the player who kept him focused throughout each contest.

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Generated 9/15/2020.

On a whole, it was arguably Schroder’s best season as a professional. Although his point tally was slightly under his career-best he did achieve those accolades in numerous stat categories. Most impressively, he improved his shot efficiency posting career-best in field goal and perimeter percentages in spite of taking more shots.

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His ascent moved him immediately into the Sixth Man of the Year conversation particularly once the OKC Thunder caught a groove after Thanksgiving as one of the top-five teams both in terms of record and road wins.

Although he came in second to LA Clippers Montrezl Harrell, the six-year (now seven) year vet proved his value to a winning squad.

Yet, in spite of this crazy year and all the success, the OKC Thunder and Dennis Schroder achieved as a team and for him personally one other moment likely tops the list.

That was the arrival of his second child, daughter, Imalia Aaliyah. DS left the Orlando bubble to be on hand for her arrival and still managed to make it back in time for the playoffs.

Today, Tuesday, September 15th he hits another milestone as he turns 27 years old.

Sending up warm wishes for a healthy, happy, and productive year ahead Dennis. Enjoy your birthday with your wife and two lovely children.