Dennis Schroder has cemented his place as one of many best gamers Germany has ever produced, however the veteran guard admits he feels he’ll by no means be embraced like Dirk Nowitzki.
The present German nationwide staff captain mirrored on his path in comparison with the nation’s most iconic basketball determine, in an interview with Stern.
“Once I was 14, I sat in entrance of the TV watching Dirk Nowitzki carry the flag on the 2008 Summer time Video games in Beijing,” Schroder mentioned. “Again then I believed: how cool, there’s no higher honor.”
Now 31 years previous, Schroder says the fact is totally different for him.
“It’s a terrific honor, however for me it should by no means be the identical as for Dirk,” he defined. “I’ll by no means obtain the identical love on this nation, as a result of I’m dark-skinned.”
Schroder’s phrases reduce deep, particularly contemplating the whole lot he has achieved on the worldwide stage.
Final summer season, he captained Germany to a historic FIBA World Cup championship, incomes match MVP honors alongside the best way.
With EuroBasket on the horizon, Schroder didn’t hesitate when requested concerning the nationwide staff’s ambitions.
“We’re going to win the title,” he mentioned. “If I weren’t satisfied of that, I wouldn’t play the match and would relatively spend my time in Braunschweig.”
Schroder has by no means been one to shrink back from talking his thoughts, and his feedback spotlight the complexities of being a trailblazer in German basketball.
Whereas Nowitzki stays the gold commonplace, Schroder continues to write down his personal legacy, one constructed on perception, resilience, and an unshakable dedication to profitable.
Schroder’s had a prolonged NBA profession that included stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors, however hasn’t but been capable of safe a championship in his 12 seasons within the league.
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