By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
It certainly has not been pleasant for the Los Angeles Lakers since LeBron James was sidelined. However, German point guard Dennis Schroder has emerged as a leader over the stretch consisting of nearly twenty games.
“Not that Dennis hadn’t done it in the past, but he hadn’t done it with this group, this system, this coaching staff, this set of teammates,” noted head coach Frank Vogel, “Obviously when Bron takes the reins back, you’re going to have Dennis as an impacting scorer and comfortable in that situation as well and then Bron goes to the bench and then Dennis is back in the comfort zone of what the way he’s grown over the last whatever month, or six weeks, whatever it’s been.”
His latest performance included 13 out of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win against the Orlando Magic on Monday evening. His ten assists generated his third straight double-double.
LeBron James seems set to return to action in the coming days. The Lakers, in his absence, have dropped to fifth place in the Western Conference carrying a 36-25 record. The spots leading to a play-in are closer than the top-seeded Utah Jazz, second-placed Phoenix Suns, and third-placed Los Angeles Clippers. The bottom stretch of the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season is expected to be eventful for the defending champions.
Schroder, 27, is shining as the floor general in the past weeks improving his season averages to 15.6 points and 5.7 assists. The spotlight will not last with James on his way back but he is determined to stay ready and keep delivering solid contributions through the upcoming key fixtures.
“We’re really excited to get started again with him soon. As I said, we’re going to be ready,” he mentioned, “There are no excuses no more. Bron is about to come back soon too, hopefully. And then it’s on.”
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