Dennis performing well as Hawks' Starting PG

[Jamaaliver]

As the Hawks returned to form Friday night, for three quarters at least, they had a new driver and with Dennis Schroder starting at point guard they looked more like the No. 1 playoff seed from the East than in weeks.

Schroder’s 12 points were not spectacular, but in combination with his career-high 11 assists against just two turnovers in 32 [minutes], confidence was gained through his fourth double-double of the season.

Without him, the Hawks moved to 8-0 with Schroder starting.

“I think his consistency as a backup and his consistency as a backup player has been something that I think has been a real benefit to us,” Budenholzer said. “And when he’s stepped into the starting position, he’s kind of been steady and obviously he’s gotten better numbers.”

Schroder’s averaging 13.8 points and 7.9 assists starting, and 9.4 and 4.5 as a sub (who sometimes plays alongside Teague). He scored a career-high 24 in his last start, March 15 against the Lakers, and scored 22 in a starting role Dec. 22 in Dallas. Three times as a starter, he’s banked a previous career-high 10 assists.

HERE

[Jamaaliver]

The Hawks are [undefeated] in games Schroder has started this season.

“Dennis’ growth has been great for his teammates to watch,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I think they’ve done an amazing job of helping him grow and develop. … His ability to get in the paint, collapse the defense and score and finish. He’s improving as a shooter. He has consistently been a good defender. Every night he can really bother the ball. He is disruptive in the passing lane. I think as a young guy his consistency has been something that has really helped us.”

HERE

[Skyhawk1]

He's the future of this franchise. He's kinda young and will make some dumb plays here and there but he plays with lots of confidence. I like him for this team much more than I like Teague. He's just 1-2 years away from being solid enough to start in the NBA.

[Hawk Eye]

The biggest thing Schröder has to work on over the next couple of years is his body muscle/strength. He already gets to the basket at will and is becoming more and more elite at it. However, he still struggles finishing at the rim. With the added body muscle and extra strength he will start finishing more consistently.

I can't wait to watch this kid grow over the next 2-3 years

[Rip2137]

I find this so funny for the biggest "Josh Smith sucks" fans from a few years back ignoring what Dennis' real problems are. He tries to do too much which leads to alot of live ball turnovers(Something smith was famous for) He gets alot of turnovers that he doesn't get credited with but should be his(to the wrong hand, too low for a big allowing him to be stripped etc.) and the biggest thing, he whines about every call, snaps at teammates over his mistakes and gets into it with other players(his role is too important for that nonsense). You all see the future of the franchise, I see a solid change of pace backup who I can't count on as a starter. Maybe that changes of the next 3 years, but right now, he is in his perfect role

[theatlfan]

I find this so funny for the biggest "Josh Smith sucks" fans from a few years back ignoring what Dennis' real problems are. He tries to do too much which leads to alot of live ball turnovers(Something smith was famous for) He gets alot of turnovers that he doesn't get credited with but should be his(to the wrong hand, too low for a big allowing him to be stripped etc.) and the biggest thing, he whines about every call, snaps at teammates over his mistakes and gets into it with other players(his role is too important for that nonsense). You all see the future of the franchise, I see a solid change of pace backup who I can't count on as a starter. Maybe that changes of the next 3 years, but right now, he is in his perfect role

tbf to the "Josh Smith sucks" crowd, he was making these mistakes @ 26/27 as well as when he was 21/22. If Schröder is making these same mistakes in 5 years, I think a lot of the Schröder lovers will turn on him too.

I don't disagree with your analysis though. Schröder needs another significant step to become what we all hope he can be. He won't be 22 until after next season starts though so hopefully that is a good sign that he won't stagnant.

[Rip2137]

Just to be clear, I am not in the "Schroder isn't going to be good" camp. I just think people are ready to hand him the team over a FAR superior player and are completely ignore the HUGE red flags that are there. As a matter of fact, Demarre Carroll TWICE mentioning how he had to learn to be a professional on and off the court spoke volumes. I think he has gotten better at it...i just am really cautious when thinking giving a guy millions of dollars is going to make him mature. I will love for it to happen, but I will wait until it does before I start calling for him to start at the point for this team.

[Jamaaliver]

Schroder a Player of the Week nominee

Hawks reserve point guard Dennis Schroder was a nominee for the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the week of March 23-29.

In four games during the week, Schroder averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 assists. He had back-to-back double-doubles, including a career-high 11 assists in games against the Heat and Hornets. Schroder started those two games with Jeff Teague out with a left ankle sprain.

The Hawks are 8-1 in games Schroder starts this season.

Not bad for a kid 'with below-average vision whose ceiling is Lou Williams with defense'.

[ATLHawksfan21]

Schroder a Player of the Week nominee

Hawks reserve point guard Dennis Schroder was a nominee for the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the week of March 23-29.

In four games during the week, Schroder averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 assists. He had back-to-back double-doubles, including a career-high 11 assists in games against the Heat and Hornets. Schroder started those two games with Jeff Teague out with a left ankle sprain.

The Hawks are 8-1 in games Schroder starts this season.

Not bad for a kid 'with below-average vision whose ceiling is Lou Williams with defense'.

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/11/24/will ... s-of-week/

[Jamaaliver]

Schroder a Player of the Week nominee

Hawks reserve point guard Dennis Schroder was a nominee for the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the week of March 23-29.

In four games during the week, Schroder averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 assists. He had back-to-back double-doubles, including a career-high 11 assists in games against the Heat and Hornets. Schroder started those two games with Jeff Teague out with a left ankle sprain.

The Hawks are 8-1 in games Schroder starts this season.

Not bad for a kid 'with below-average vision whose ceiling is Lou Williams with defense'.

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/11/24/will ... s-of-week/

PRECISELY! Dennis at age twenty-one averaged 7+ assists PER GAME last week. Lou didn't have 7 assists the whole week when he was recognized.

Dennis' production as starter is more akin to Jeff Teague. H3ll, for the month of March Jeff and Dennis both avg 14 ppg & 6 apg. With Dennis having the better Assist:Turnover. And Teague having superior shooting numbers.

But an assessment of Dennis having LOU Williams as a ceiling is inaccurate. Dennis is already a superior playmaker.

[Rip2137]

Over a WHOLE WEEK? Guess that proves he isn't a below average playmaker. Hey...did you know Josh smith once shot 43% from 3 over a whole month. This, of course, meant that he was basically a 6'9 Ray Allen.

[PandaKidd]

hes playing well, cant deny that. But Im still not ready to anoint him the starter.

I think he has another 1-2 years to get his bad habits under control, hes made a HUGE LEAP this year, hopefully he polishes his at the rim finishing and his turnovers next year.

[Jamaaliver]

Over a WHOLE WEEK? Guess that proves he isn't a below average playmaker. Hey...did you know Josh smith once shot 43% from 3 over a whole month. This, of course, meant that he was basically a 6'9 Ray Allen.

Come on, man. The whole thread is about Dennis growth over the course of the year. The recognition in league circles regarding his of court achievements is just evidence of his improved play.

Avg 5+ assists for the season. Over 6+ assists over the month and 7+ assists over the past week of heavy PT. Pretty much invalidates the argument that he is only a scorer.

But if it's one thing I can appreciate, nay respect...it's a man standing by his previous statements. Even if it borders on complete stubbornness. You've stuck by your guns. I'll just file this one away for a later date.

I at least know you won't completely change argument mid-course.

[svek21]

He got you Rip!!


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Rip2137]

So....Allen Iverson...great playmaker?

[PandaKidd]

I feel the same way about Dennis as I did about 2 months ago. Hes a dynamic , gifted , talented player. I see A LOT of improvement in his PnR, his shooting, his penetration.

I also see a lot of :
Costly Turnovers (just bad Turnovers, dribbling too much, getting baited into 1 on 1 matchups)

Inability to finish at the rim. His scoop shot is a thing of beauty when he makes it. But ive seen him go stretches where he forces it 3-4 times and its a wild awkward shot. Teague developed the floater, Schroeder needs to perfect his around the rim game to be elite.

He doesnt jump, like, at all. He jumps on his shot, but theres a lot of times he drives to the basket, and he just doesnt have that explosive elevation like Teague does (granted 2 totally different players I know).

I still think hes a solid 1-1.5 years away from being THE STARTER aka All Star caliber.

[Rip2137]

Those things, I'm not torn up about. It's the clear maturity issues I see and while yes, he is young, guys don't generally get their maturity issues worked out once they get millions of dollars. I don't like my point guard trying to get into it with other players like a short Reggie Evans or Matt Barnes. I don't like my point guard never taking responsibility for his mistakes. That's a big deal to me.

The thing I don't like is how it was being made like I was putting him down up there. I guess barbosa with defense is a better comparison for what I think his ceiling is. But 15-18 and 4-6 assist isn't exactly a bad ceiling. My point is that SOME people wanted to dump Teague this past off season so we could start Dennis. This same person keeps talking about how Dennis is CLEARLY a superstar and we need to dump Teague now and hand Dennis the team now. Dennis looks like a capable backup right now. To paraphrase the SAME poster that wants to dump Teague "We really considering dumping Teague because our backup PG has been solid in spurts for half a season?"

[Jamaaliver]

My point is that SOME people wanted to dump Teague this past off season so we could start Dennis. This same person keeps talking about how Dennis is CLEARLY a superstar and we need to dump Teague now and hand Dennis the team now.

Directed at me. And, as always, that's fine. I STILL advocate moving Teague for value. But it was never to start Dennis. DS was terrible last season. My goal was to bring in a vet PG to start and help groom Dennis.

It makes 0 sense to have three young players at one position with no vet presence.

I advocated Jameer Nelson or Devin Harris as starter. Both are accomplished, former All Star PGs with lots of playoff experience. Both make less than Teague.

I'm at work...but if you REALLY want me to dig it up in the archives...I will. Never an issue. Teague is what he is. Occasionally brilliant, usually good. But he's a 17 ppg & 7 apg guy. Waiting for him to ascend to superstardom has gotten exhausting.

But you've put down Dennis pretty consistently over the past 16 months.

[PandaKidd]

I dont know what you would get in trade for Teague, and Harris or Nelson would be HORRIBLE starting PG options , you would be making your starting 5 weaker for sure if those are youre 2 options for grooming DS.

I think the best thing for DS is what is happening now, being a capable backup. Hes young, and Teague is def better , im sorry, he just plays smarter. He doesnt have to be a superstar. But There isnt anyone in the league who would start, TODAY, DS over Jeff Teague.

The option of moving Teague is interesting, depending on what happens with DMC and Millsap this offseason. But , his contract is also way undervalued for the production we are getting. We could EASILY let it play out and just let him walk at the end and start Schroeder

[ATLHawksfan21]

One day its teague has been in the league so long that he has no untapped potential. The next minute teague is considered young. Which one is it?