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Jeff Schultz wrote:Howard is a problem but Schroder is Hawks’ biggest concern right now

The Hawks have a big problem...

Dennis Schroder. For as talented he is, Schroder also has a tendency to be the time bomb that blows this team up.

He still has too much Josh Smith in him.

Schroder has the talent and youth to be one of the NBA’s top point guards and the Hawks are banking on his development. They gave him a four-year contract extension worth up to $70 million that kicks in next season.

Schroder was late returning from Germany following the All-Star break because of a visa issue that was entirely his fault. So Mike Budenholzer suspended him for a game.

Then he was benched for the start of his first game back because he missed the team bus.

Nobody expects Schroder to be a mature, finished product at the age 23. But in short: Have a clue.

This benching was not because of a one-time incident, it’s a compilation of issues stemming from an immature player’s actions.

...the actions of Schroder are far more concerning for the Hawks moving forward — and by forward, I mean future seasons, not this one, because this one is circling the drain.

myAJC


Thoughts?

Concerns?

Predictions?

Chris Vivlamore wrote:On-court words between Dennis Schroder and Dwight Howard led to a defensive breakdown in the Hawks’ loss to the Warriors Monday night.

It also led to something much bigger.

In addition to the heated exchange between players, Schroder also had words with coach Mike Budenholzer following the play. Budenholzer then benched Schroder, who played just 3:19 of the second half.

Players were frustrated with Schroder that he would argue with Budenholzer during Monday’s game and be benched.

AJC


We've discussed the benching itself in the Game Thread.

What I think should be taken into account is the fact Dennis was suspended and benched 10 days earlier for missing practice and missing a team bus.

Minor offenses like these can't be ignored when they happen repeatedly.

I officially question whether DS has the mentality to be a franchise cornerstone.

I think of guys like Al Horford, Julio Jones, Dansby Swanson, Matt Ryan -- Atlanta sports stars cast into the spotlight at a young age who were repeatedly lauded for their maturity, work ethic and leadership.

Dennis has yet to consistently exude these characteristics.

I do think this also is a reflection of the lack of leadership in the locker room.

The void left by Horford, Demarre and Korver has been difficult to fill.




I don't think that interaction would occur between Dennis and Horford.

I don't believe Demarre allows Dennis to bark at the coach on the sidelines.

Jamaaliver wrote:I do think this also is a reflection of the lack of leadership in the locker room.

The void left by Horford, Demarre and Korver has been difficult to fill.




I don't think that interaction would occur between Dennis and Horford.

I don't believe Demarre allows Dennis to bark at the coach on the sidelines.

I think there was still a lack of leadership with those guys. Not one voice above all.

Dennis has always had issues, it only received less attention because those guys plus Teague and Sap had him very low on the totem pole for people to really care. When he becomes one of your better players then it's obvious it's going to get more coverage particularly when it's with somebody who already has a very public stigma.

Schröder is going the wrong way. I think he is very convinced of himself and his early "success" is going to his head right now. Schroeder still doesnt have a solid midrange game, he cant defend to save his life and his shot selection is rather bad. Although he is shooting 45% from the field, i have the feeling that his shot is inconsistent.

during the Eurocup 2016, i couldnt watch him. He was forcing too much and made silly errors...and this **** attitude not taking the ball in the hands to defer the 24sec shot clock.....arrogant nba style

Yeah tired of him letting the ball roll like that.

I think this is all a byproduct of how the offseason was managed. My belief was that would have kept both Teague and Horford, while trading Schroeder and Millsap for 1st round picks (Philly and PHX had intrest, respectfully), while still signing both Baze and Howard. Our team would still be very much the same, but with additional assests for trade (such as a slew of firsts for Butler or George, who we targeted).

This makes me very mad.
We trade possibly our best locker room guy, Kyle Korver.
In the in-game interview, Schroder says he'll do anything it takes to win, but during the second half he gets into it with Dwight Howard.

Golden State pulls far away from us to an easy victory. Competitive game for three periods.

HMFFL wrote:This makes me very mad.
We trade possibly our best locker room guy, Kyle Korver.
In the in-game interview, Schroder says he'll do anything it takes to win, but during the second half he gets into it with Dwight Howard.

Golden State pulls far away from us to an easy victory. Competitive game for three periods.

korver wasnt a good player anymore. a shooter who cant get open.

Wow.

Just. Wow.


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Schro's been put in a tough situation. He came into the season as a very young, first time starting PG on a team playing to win, with a bunch of NBA vets leading the team. That's not an easy situation for him. Also, DH over Horf is a fit problem. Also, Bud is tough on young guys.

Since we now know that they are 99% in win now mode, they should have kept JT and Horf and KK. OR, blown it all the way up and move forward with Schro as one of the young leaders on a rebuilding team.

The incident comes after Schroder was suspended for one game last month for failure to return from the All-Star break on time. He did not start the very next game after being late for the team bus. Budenholzer sat Schroder for several games last season for talking back.

Schroder has been a well-documented irritant to opposing players during his four seasons in the NBA. He has gotten under the skin of his teammates at times. According to a person familiar with the situation, Paul Millsap had sharp words for Schroder following the game.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/budenholzer-meets-with-schroder-after-guard-was-benched/XX42WSZi7QxyAlIhidQOSK/

As I said, this isn't something new for Dennis and cannot be attributed to some supposed void of leadership in the locker room. All of this is part recency effect, personal bias, and more noticeable because instead of Jeff Teague playing we are watching Malcolm Delaney and Kent Bazemore handle the reigns while Dennis is disciplined.

MaceCase wrote:

The incident comes after Schroder was suspended for one game last month for failure to return from the All-Star break on time. He did not start the very next game after being late for the team bus. Budenholzer sat Schroder for several games last season for talking back.

Schroder has been a well-documented irritant to opposing players during his four seasons in the NBA. He has gotten under the skin of his teammates at times. According to a person familiar with the situation, Paul Millsap had sharp words for Schroder following the game.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/budenholzer-meets-with-schroder-after-guard-was-benched/XX42WSZi7QxyAlIhidQOSK/

As I said, this isn't something new for Dennis and cannot be attributed to some supposed void of leadership in the locker room. All of this is part recency effect, personal bias, and more noticeable because instead of Jeff Teague playing we are watching Malcolm Delaney and Kent Bazemore handle the reigns while Dennis is disciplined.

There's a fine line with guys like Schro. Part of what makes him is his, confidense, aggression, cockiness. He has an edge. I love that he gets under the skin of opponents. If he weas a leader of a young team, it would be seen as the asset it is. Mix it with a team lead by win now vets and it rubs wrong. This will teah Schro, but shouldn"t file away the EDGE.

Let the young man grow up at his pace; not Sap's. Bud keeps it up, he could start to dull the shine. A more disciplined player? Yes. System over everything? NO

Great talent hates to conform. Conformity is very average

http://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/budenholzer-meets-with-schroder-after-guard-was-benched/XX42WSZi7QxyAlIhidQOSK/

This article is a good find. And one of the better pieces C-Viv has written as Hawks Beat Writer.

Another section extols the virtue of locker room leaders. Including Millsap stepping in and having words with Schroder after the game:

C-Viv wrote:Schroder has gotten under the skin of his teammates at times. According to a person familiar with the situation, Paul Millsap had sharp words for Schroder following the game.

Millsap, in his 11th NBA season and as one of the longest-tenured Hawks, said he understands his role as a team leader in such circumstances. Budenholzer said veterans, such as Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore and Millsap, can help police the locker room and the role is most often not seen publically.

“I can assure you that there is a lot of help and I would use the word leadership in the locker room,” Budenholzer said. "Lots of times it’s understated or not noticed as much."

Paul Millsap wrote:We talk all the time. That’s between me and Dennis...I talk to Dennis like I talk to one of my little brothers. I treat him as such. We are that close. We have conversations all the time...When you are young, you miss a lot of stuff...you do dumb stuff.

It’s good to have veteran guys and a coach who care.

I love to hear this. A veteran locker room capable of self-policing is an integral part of any team hierarchy. At every level. In every sport. I don't trust that Bazemore has the cachet to lead too loudly. Or that Thabo has the credibility.

But Millsap's role in this locker room is undeniable. I think that's where we will continue to miss Kyle and AL the most. They were the longest tenured Hawks and the most decorated. And among the most respected.

If Paul leaves this summer...there will be a definite void to fill in the locker room.

And I think Bud handled this very well overall. This clearly was a long-brewing issue. Hopefully, this is the Tipping Point that sees Dennis take the next step in his maturation.

NOTE: We have to get a vet PG to keep mentoring this guy moving forward. Not just stopgaps like Hinrich and Jose.



MILLSAP IN THE MIDST OF THE SEASON ENDING LOSING STREAK:

With almost everyone piling on Dennis for his behavior of late...I will take it upon myself to defend the kid for doing dumb things.

He is talented. And he is only 23. But we have to see improvement in attitude and approach moving forward.

Cause when Dennis has actually managed to stay on the court recently, he's been brilliant. Averaging 19 ppg and 6 apg over his last 10 games.

C-Viv wrote:Millsap said he regarded Schroder as a little brother. A sibling who needs direction from time to time. Millsap had harsh words for Schroder immediately after the loss to the Warriors. He had comforting words the following day. Neither Schroder nor Millsap would reveal details of the conversation but gave a sense that it was positive.


Said Millsap, “I’ve seen some growth. I’ve seen some maturity. I’ve seen a guy who didn’t let what happened the last game get to him.


...We are brothers. We go to war every night. I’m there for him always. He knows that. When he calls, I answer. When I call, he answers. We had a good talk (Tuesday) night. I’m glad he’s receptive to what was said and came today and busted his butt.”

I dont understand why Schröder is so bad on defense. he has the perfect height, good "wingspan", is explosive (maybe top 3 of the most explosive players in the nba) and quick, is very athletic....he has the perfect tools to become a great defender with even all-defensive second team calibre......i really dont understand

Nice to see Millsap taking a huge part in the growth of Schroder. When we'll see that growth is another thing, but for now, I love what Schroder is doing on offense. I just to have the complete package by next season.

Jamaaliver wrote:With almost everyone piling on Dennis for his behavior of late...I will take it upon myself to defend the kid for doing dumb things.

He is talented. And he is only 23. But we have to see improvement in attitude and approach moving forward.

Cause when Dennis has actually managed to stay on the court recently, he's been brilliant. Averaging 19 ppg and 6 apg over his last 10 games.

C-Viv wrote:Millsap said he regarded Schroder as a little brother. A sibling who needs direction from time to time. Millsap had harsh words for Schroder immediately after the loss to the Warriors. He had comforting words the following day. Neither Schroder nor Millsap would reveal details of the conversation but gave a sense that it was positive.


Said Millsap, “I’ve seen some growth. I’ve seen some maturity. I’ve seen a guy who didn’t let what happened the last game get to him.


...We are brothers. We go to war every night. I’m there for him always. He knows that. When he calls, I answer. When I call, he answers. We had a good talk (Tuesday) night. I’m glad he’s receptive to what was said and came today and busted his butt.”

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In an interview with The Vertical, Dennis finally makes public comments on his suspension this spring:

Schroder’s season hasn’t been without head-scratching moments...Schroder served a one-game suspension for arriving late from a visit home during the All-Star break because of complications with his visa. His All-Star weekend plans will be different going forward.

“I don’t think I’m going to go back to Germany,” Schroder told The Vertical. “I can’t do that. Coach, he knows I’m the leader of the team and as the starting point guard, that [expletive] can’t happen and that’s why he suspended me. Everybody can see, you can’t do that. I think it was good for everybody to see that. Now, I’m focused.”

Good to know he has maintained perspective and acknowledged this was his fault. His responsibility.

Still bears watching moving forward. But after his post-season run against John Wall, it's clear he is the future of this team. (For better or worse.)