Beyond The Numbers
As the media waited in the locker room, a perspiring Dennis Schröder came running in, out of breath, through the doorway. The 23-year-old starting point guard for the Atlanta Hawks was coming from the practice court, where he just put up shots after a less-than-favorable performance in a Hawks' loss. That kind of work ethic isn't uncommon for the young player from Germany, as Hawks' shooting coach Ben Sullivan will tell anyone, Schröder has put in work "before and after practice," as well as going his hardest during his time on the court. Schröder's teammate Paul Millsap witnesses it firsthand, "He works on his game everyday."
Drafted as the number 17 pick in 2013, Schröder's tenacious spirit and hard work placed him in the starting role for the 2016-17 season, and fans witnessed an incredible display of shooting from him in December and January where he shot 41.3% and 37.5% from three-point-land, respectively. When asked about his improved perimeter shooting, Schröder credited his work to Sullivan, who remarked that the percentages aren't something they look at daily because they're "more worried about the process."
That process will not be perfected magically overnight, it takes time and dedication. Dedication to working on the same drill day after day, to improving in every field as Schröder continues to grow. He's not only been learning what it's like to be a starting point guard, he's also playing against the best point guards in the world, adjusting to playing with his teammates, running the team, creating opportunities for other players and looking for his own offense. Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki saw something special in Schröder early on and believes that's what brought him to where he is now, "He's got that...that attitude, that swag, that disposition that you need at the point guard spot to be a leader."
Schröder himself recognizes there are areas where he can be better, one of his main focuses for the upcoming offseason is to work on strengthening his legs so he can finish more effectively at the rim. Coach Sullivan noticed from the young guard that, while shooting a jumpshot, the ball came off of Schröder's hand nicely and he had the ability to get to an open shot but he needed to concentrate on his wrist snap movement and trusting his wrist snap. "I would say if you watch the ball from last year to this year, there's more of a rotation on it because he's snapping the ball a little bit more," noted Coach Sullivan as he demonstrated Schröder's shooting motion. Being so young and having such an important role on a playoff team coincides with Nowitzki's affirmation that Schröder's "got a bright, bright future in this league." It's time to watch him work.
Drafted as the number 17 pick in 2013, Schröder's tenacious spirit and hard work placed him in the starting role for the 2016-17 season, and fans witnessed an incredible display of shooting from him in December and January where he shot 41.3% and 37.5% from three-point-land, respectively. When asked about his improved perimeter shooting, Schröder credited his work to Sullivan, who remarked that the percentages aren't something they look at daily because they're "more worried about the process."
That process will not be perfected magically overnight, it takes time and dedication. Dedication to working on the same drill day after day, to improving in every field as Schröder continues to grow. He's not only been learning what it's like to be a starting point guard, he's also playing against the best point guards in the world, adjusting to playing with his teammates, running the team, creating opportunities for other players and looking for his own offense. Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki saw something special in Schröder early on and believes that's what brought him to where he is now, "He's got that...that attitude, that swag, that disposition that you need at the point guard spot to be a leader."
Schröder himself recognizes there are areas where he can be better, one of his main focuses for the upcoming offseason is to work on strengthening his legs so he can finish more effectively at the rim. Coach Sullivan noticed from the young guard that, while shooting a jumpshot, the ball came off of Schröder's hand nicely and he had the ability to get to an open shot but he needed to concentrate on his wrist snap movement and trusting his wrist snap. "I would say if you watch the ball from last year to this year, there's more of a rotation on it because he's snapping the ball a little bit more," noted Coach Sullivan as he demonstrated Schröder's shooting motion. Being so young and having such an important role on a playoff team coincides with Nowitzki's affirmation that Schröder's "got a bright, bright future in this league." It's time to watch him work.