The Boston Celtics have added new names to their roster for the upcoming season, meaning there’s a few new men in Boston.
Leading the 17-time world champions at the point guard position this season is none other than Dennis Schroder, a man born more than 3,000 miles away but who could become a Boston icon now that he joins a legendary group of men who have run the point for the Green. Who is Dennis Schroder, and what can we expect from Boston’s newest adopted son?
Schroder was born in Braunschweig, Germany, in 1993 and played for SG Braunschweig and Phantoms Braunschweig before moving to Atlanta Hawks in 2013. He was the 17th overall pick in the Draft that year and was quickly compared to Rajon Rondo for his distinct playing style. He spent time in the developmental leagues, appearing for Bakersfield Jam, and finished his rookie season having played in 49 games, averaging 13.1 minutes per game. He never forgot his roots – he is still the sole owner of his local team, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig, formerly SG.
His career quickly took off in the US, and in 2016 he signed a four-year contract extension worth $70m, taking the reins as the Hawks lead guard in the following season. In 2018, he set a new career-high with 41 points in a 99–94 win over the Utah Jazz but was traded to Oklahoma City Thunder not long after, where he was positioned as their sixth man behind Russell Westbrook. He spent two years with Oklahoma, finishing as the runner-up to Montrezl Harrell in voting for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Last year he joined the Lakers, having a somewhat controversial stint in Los Angeles. His form was disappointing; he averaged 15.4 points on 43.7% shooting from the field and 33.5% shooting from 3-point distance. He was also sidelined twice due to pandemic protocols and missed seven games late in the season. Despite this, Yahoo suggests he was offered an $80m contract extension, which he turned down in favor of a one-year deal in Boston, worth a fraction of that.
It’s a signing that sees him leave a favorite for the NBA title in the Lakers, for a Celtics team that could be slightly overlooked heading into the season. They’re ranked as low as 13th in terms of favorites for the title with Bwin. With only one NBA Championship since 1986, the Celtics might not be a success in the modern era, but they are still one of the best-known franchises around the world, something Schroder alludes to in his announcement.
“I’m proud to announce that for the 2021-22 season I’ll be playing for the Boston Celtics!” Schroder wrote on Instagram. “This is one of the best franchises in NBA history, and it will be an honour to put on the green and white and do what I love! I’m going out there every night and leaving it all on the floor for the city!! Who’s ready?”
Whilst Schroder doesn’t have a title to his name, either with a team or an individual accolade, he is the newest face to be welcomed into the Boston sporting fold and who knows, he might just end up becoming a Boston mainstay for years to come.
