One of the newest Lakers has already made quite a strong impression with his new team and fans, asserting himself as a player who believes he belongs in the Lakers starting lineup even before their first practice as a team, as the league starts training camp later this week.
Lakers guard Dennis Schröder, who ever since he was in pre-draft has never been shy about what he thinks he can do and how strong of a player he can be, made a quick impression with his new squad and fans who are getting to know him. On Monday, during his introductory press conference, the ever-confident Schröder took a step in establishing his role with the defending champions. He’s not coming off the bench anymore.
“I did this off the bench stuff already for two years with OKC,” Schröder said during his introductory press conference on Monday. “I think I will try to move forward, and I think with AD and LeBron, I can be helpful as a starter at the PG position so that LeBron don’t have so much stuff in his mind.”
Yesterday’s statement is indicative of who Schröder has been ever since he has been on the NBA radar and it’s no guarantee that everything will go his way. His confidence is a strength. And Schröder is absolutely right, the Lakers will need someone to take things off LeBron’s plate. It wouldn’t be fair to expect LeBron to be the NBA’s assist champion again.
But while it’s hard to fault the feeling, the Lakers bench unit lacks some serious playmaking if Schröder does start. While Schröeder may be their third-best player upon arrival, he may be of more use destroying opposing second units with Montrezl Harrell and then helping finish the game. If he does start, Frank Vogel is going to have to get creative with his early substitutions to make sure the Lakers have enough creative ability on the floor at all times.
