Germany relished this paradox, jubilantly celebrating their first world title, beating Dirk Nowitzki’s own side, whose ceiling – and the country’s entire history to date – was Bronze medal won in 2002.
Germany have struggled to establish their reputation in world basketball since the Dallas Mavericks legend retired, peaking with Dirk Nowitzki’s ring in 2011, and despite currently having seven players, Germany have struggled to make a name for themselves since withdrawing from the paint. The team seems a bit soulless: Dennis Schroder (Toronto Raptors), Franz and Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Daniel Theis (Indiana Pacers), Maxi K. Leber (Dallas Mavericks), Isaiah Hartenstein (New York Knicks) and Joshua Obisi (Houston Rockets).
Indeed, the reality of the German team – and what is more indicative of its strength as a collective pact – is that, in NBA terms, it is largely composed of rejected players or bench players, even those who have not played player of. World Cup. Of course, there aren’t any top stars in the best league in the world.
The surprises brought about by contrasting his role in the American League and the national team start with MVP Dennis Schroder. His situation bears some resemblance to 2019’s Ricky Rubio, a respected point guard in the NBA who struggled due to lack of starting time and a reputation as a ring contender. long-term effects that have never been adequately appreciated.
Although the Toronto Raptors are expected to make him the starter with Fred Van Vleet leaving the Rockets following the two-year, $26 million deal the Canadiens gave him, it would be difficult if Schröder were now Toronto, that’s because the Lakers have no interest in making him any extension offer before free agency begins.
Schroder was a starter in the Purple and Gold for much of last season until Los Angeles brought in D’Angelo Russell as the starting point guard in February, relegating the German to the bench.
The MVP, who only entered the starting five after injuries to Timberwolves players, barely returned to the starting lineup due to a technical decision in the final game of the conference finals against the Nuggets as the Lakers desperately searched for a solution to avoid elimination. plan. Russell became the biggest casualty of the starting five because of his poor shooting — 9 percent from 3-point range — and other weaknesses that a starting point guard cannot afford to be a ring contender. .
The Purple and Gold Army decided to renew Russell’s contract at a price of 37 million for two years and introduced Gabe Vincent from the Heat as a backup point guard. Who knows whether after experiencing a strange situation in 2021, the Lakers offered the German point guard a 4-year, $84 million contract for the 21-22 season, whether this has something to do with their lack of care for Schroeder. Schroeder, one of those unique players who is also elusive off the court, turned down a contract extension and couldn’t think of anything else to do besides sign one- and six-year deals with his eternal rivals, the Celtics. method.
The inconsistencies in Schroeder’s arguments for rejecting the contract clearly and simply show that he is a mess in the head. First, he argued that he was “100 percent” unfit for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and then he never saw that contract.
While playing for Oklahoma State and the Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks became the team with the most games played by a point guard, playing a total of 5 seasons. The World Cup MVP, who turns 30 on Friday, was selected by the Georgia team on the 17th. In 2013, he was a starter for the past two seasons. He moved to the Thunder in 2018, which coincided with Trae Young being selected in the lottery.
Schroeder’s coaching ability in this World Cup is comparable to Kyrie Irving. He scored 19 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds.
But at least the diminutive point guard, who stands just 1.85 inches tall, has some playing time — he averaged 12.6 points in 30 games last season — or so Daniel Theis must have thought, as he was pushed to the bench. superior. In two and a half years, the 31-year-old post player has played for as many as four different teams, including the Bulls, Rockets, Celtics and his current Pacers.
Although Theis was injured in the second half of last season, Theis only played 7 of the Pacers’ 27 games and played only 15.5 minutes, but this did not prevent him from scoring 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. And good data of 1 block.
The interior has spent the entire season in the shadow of Myles Turner, with Indiana prioritizing the development of other young centers like Jalen Smith or Isaiah Jackson. Beyond an uncertain future, things don’t look much different next year for Theis, who is under contract through June and the Pacers have the franchise option to give him a one-year extension. Coincidence or not, the best game of the World Cup was a 21-point, 7-rebound, and 2-assist performance against the United States in the semifinals.
The Wagner brothers’ situation with the Orlando Magic is different. The diminutive Wagner (22) is the undisputed starter in a promising program led by Paolo Banchero, scoring 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 rebounds in 32 minutes during his sophomore season. assists, consolidating his position. The forward is the only NBA starter on the World Cup-winning team as his 26-year-old brother Moritz starts off the bench, where he had 10.5 points, 4.5 sacks and 1.5 rim passes in 20 minutes last year. .
Among the German NBA players who did not participate in the World Cup, they were all substitutes for the team, including Hartenstein of the Knicks and Maxi Kleber of the Dallas Mavericks. His absence from the German team due to his retirement was controversial. Denis Schröder criticized him for his lack of electoral commitment. Another NBA player, Joshua Obiesie, signed a contract with the Rockets this year after playing for Oliver Würzburg, Bayern and Frankfurt Airport Skyliners. First appearance of the season.
He’s far from a top-notch star and either he passes them off like a ball or he doesn’t consider them to be ring contenders or starters. Rightly or wrongly, the NBA doesn’t think highly of most of the German world champions. A true paradox. But Germany, built on a collective spirit with Gordon Herbert at the helm, was more than happy about it.