There were many positive takeaways from the Brooklyn Nets' home opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. After holding things close during the first half, the Nets pulled away to win 115-102. Dennis Schroder played an integral role in Brooklyn's outlast of Milwaukee, and his on-the-court performance is not the only thing the Nets are finding value in.
Schroder finished the game with a game-high 29 points along with six assists, four rebounds, one steal, and shot 62.5 percent on his three-pointers. Moreover, he achieved a plus-minus of 29. Schroder stepped up for Brooklyn, but head coach Jordi Fernandez highlighted another contribution from the veteran point guard.
“I told the guys that everybody in life can be a leader,” Fernandez said after the Bucks win, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. “You can lead by your voice, you can lead by example. I’ve been around different players who have done it in different ways, and it’s super valuable for the group. With Dennis, that’s who he is."
Fernandez used Schroder as someone who is a standout leader. And outside of his floor generalship, Schroder performed a major gesture for one of his teammates.
After the Nets' 116-101 loss to the Orlando Magic, a video surfaced of a fan calling Ben Simmons "trash." Simmons swiftly responded and asked the fan why he did not say it when Simmons was closer to him. Before anyone could interject, Dennis Schroder stepped in and appeared to scold the fan for calling out Simmons.
Schroder later said that no matter what happens to his Nets teammates, he will defend them. That type of leadership combined with his play has earned him massive respect from Jordi Fernandez and many others.
Schroder is proving that the smallest things can make the biggest differences
Dennis Schroder's 29-point performance against the Bucks is atypical. He is a career 14.1 points per-game scorer. But when Schroder gets openings, he takes them. He does whatever he can to help his team win, as further evidenced by stout assists numbers.
Schroder understands that his game does not have to be flashy or very exciting to make an impact, and he is not worried about such things. The veteran point guard made it clear before the season that mentoring the Nets' young players is a priority, and at the same time, he wants to remain in Brooklyn long-term.
Through the first part of the 2024-25 season, Schroder is proving his worth as a valuable part of the team. If Schroder continues to do everything he has been, he might find that his wish to stay in the borough for a long time comes true.
The Nets can continue to use Schroder's veteran leadership as they progress through their exciting rebuild phase.