When the hall in Los Angeles almost trembled with the cheers of the Lakers fans and Dennis Schröder celebrated his three-pointer for the lead 1.4 seconds before the siren, he already looked like the match winner for the NBA record champion on the way to the playoffs.
“These are the moments you want,” reported the 28-year-old from Braunschweig to the German Press Agency and admitted: “I thought it was over.”
It wasn’t after all – the Lakers had to go into overtime in the play-in against the Minnesota Timberwolves and only won after the additional five minutes of basketball with four more Schröder points 108:102 – but the German had praise and recognition from his colleagues National team captain for 21 points and still deserves this throw.
“This is incredible, extraordinary”
“His attitude, his self-confidence: It’s incredible, extraordinary,” said coach Darvin Ham of the point guard, with whom he has been friends since their time together with the Atlanta Hawks. “We’re glad he’s on our team.” A similar statement was made by Anthony Davis, whose foul 0.1 seconds before the end of regular time caused the Timberwolves to take three free throws to equalize 98-98. “He’s priceless,” Davis enthused, commenting on his angry action: “The worst thing was that I broke Dennis’ winning goal.”
During the first TV interview with NBA superstar LeBron James and Schröder, Davis apologized for it on US television – and seconds later grinned as happy and relieved as his teammates around him. The fact that the Lakers are actually in the NBA playoffs and will play against the Memphis Grizzlies for a place in the semifinals of the Western Conference from Sunday seemed unthinkable after the record champions’ horror start.
There were ten defeats in the first twelve games. Someone wrote the lousy yield on the wall in the Lakers cabin before the duel with the Timberwolves as motivation. “We had a 0.32 percent chance of making the playoffs,” LeBron James said after his 30-point game last fall, emphasizing, “This team is resilient. That’s what sets us apart.”
Bad start, strong end
The game against the Timberwolves was a reflection of the entire season so far. A bad start with many wasted open throws caused a 15-point deficit, which provoked the sometimes very loud fans in the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles to cursing and scolding well into the second half.
But then things clicked and the Lakers worked their way back into the game and into a good position – just as they had in the Western Conference table since the All-Star break in February. The fact that there were inexplicable mistakes again at the end: a gift. “It’s like it’s been all season: always look forward,” said Coach Ham.
Ever since the team parted ways with players like Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly at the end of the transfer period and integrated the additions of D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbildt and Malik Beasley, the Lakers have been an unpleasant opponent again. Since then, the team has won 16 games in 23 games. No team in the Western Conference has a better record during this period.
“We have so much talent here in the group. If we really do the right things, defend well and play fast, then it’s difficult for any team,” said Schröder. Already showered and with a black wool cap on his head, the joy and satisfaction with his performance and the throw was clearly noticeable long after the end of the game. “The whole basketball world is watching because only this one game is still going on. Of course it’s a great experience,” he reported and then emphasized: “But you should never fly too high. Now it’s just starting. Playoffs. There all cards will be reshuffled.”
