Jamaaliver wrote:Hawks now are Schroder’s show
At his pre-draft news conference Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer called Schroder a “unique” talent. The coach indicated that he will seek more ways to fashion the offense around Schroder’s speed and ability to get to the basket.
...the Hawks are making it a point to signal that the Hawks are Schroder’s show now. That seems obvious because Schroder is the most talented player on the roster and, at 24-years old this month, brimming with star potential. But it’s got to mean something that the GM and the coach are saying it early and often.
With that comes the acknowledgement that, through his first four years, Schroder has been a mercurial talent. In his fifth season the Hawks need Schroder, their longest-tenured player, to grow up fast and be the point guard who leads.
Schroder says he’s ready.
...from Schroder, when asked what he has to do better: “Everything. Leadership. Shooting. Finishing at the basket. Young players, they are looking up to me now. I’ve got to do everything professional and try to be a role model for them.”
“Coach told me already he switched the system a little big playing-wise,” Schroder said. “We ain’t got Dwight no more, who was in the paint a lot. I think the pace is really important for us now. We try to play as fasts as possible. I think it is going to be a little change but I think everybody is prepared for it. Everybody worked all summer with it. It’s going to be great.”
AJCI hope DS is prepared for this. The spotlight will shine brightest on him for this season. The tide turned against the last two 'faces of the franchise' (Smoove, Horford) when they struggled. Wouldn't surprise me if the same thing happened to Dennis over the next 9 months...
I never saw either Josh or Al as the face of the franchise. I saw Josh as the player ooozing talent but he had a 10 cent head to go with his million dollar talent. I always said he could have the most impact on a game - good and bad all in one play (block a shot then make a horrible half court pass that hits the backboard not once but twice in one game
). Al, I saw as a leader of the team on the floor just not the 'face' to rally around. Never a cornerstone piece but a piece of the overall puzzle, a cog in the machine. Teams never game planned to stop him or Josh. They will with Dennis.
Dennis' coach from the German National team has already said he has already shown improvement as a leader on and off the court while playing in Euro league. He just needs to continue doing that. Will he succeed? He has every chance to do so - it'll be up to him.
