By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former president of the Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson is not a fan of Dennis Schroder. In a radio interview to L.A.’s AM 570 following the Lakers being eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the 2021 Playoffs, he accused the German pointed guard of lacking values traditionally attributed to players of the organization.
“I don’t think he’s a Laker,” he said expressing his opinion on Schroder, “I don’t know if they’re gonna sign him back or not, but I don’t think he brings the winning mentality and attitude we need. To me, he failed in this series.”
Schroder, 27, coming off four postseason runs with the Atlanta Hawks and two more attached to the Oklahoma City Thunder, posted 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per match in the best-of-seven series against the Suns. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after declining a contract extension during the season.
“I think it was a get-used-to-it season,” he said rounding up his 2020-21 campaign, “Playing with the top two players in the league, you have to adjust a little bit. It was OK. But I can do more. You can always do more, work on your game to help the team get more wins. Hopefully, next year I can go out and be comfortable in that situation.”
Schroder finished the Regular Season packing 15.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per match. He played in 61 games as his side went through plenty of injuries sidelining himself and other key players.
“I don’t like excuses, but we had too much going on this year. I played with probably with five or six lineup changes throughout the whole season,” he added while peeking into the next season, “That’s why I believe there is some unfinished business. We are better than this.”
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