Michael Nyarko
As the 2023 FIBA World Cup commenced yesterday, Toronto Raptors fans find themselves with dual incentives to passionately support.
While the Canadian national team naturally garners widespread affection, fans should also wholeheartedly back Dennis Schroder, the recently acquired Raptors talent, as he competes for Germany.
Schroder’s captivating performances in friendly tune-up games, if indicative of his forthcoming impact with the Raptors, undoubtedly offer fans abundant reasons for exhilaration.
Moreover, this former Lakers standout sustained his impressive momentum into the initial group stage match, fueling the excitement further.
Schroder and Team Germany had a smooth victory over host nation Japan, securing an 81-63 win. While Orlando Magic’s Moritz Wagner led with 25 points, Schroder closely followed, showcasing his adept passing and contributing crucial shots to orchestrate the offense.
In a game against a less depth-filled Japanese team, Schroder recorded 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Germany’s lineup included four NBA players, granting them an edge. One of the morning’s standout moments was Schroder’s alley-oop pass to Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis.
Defying gravity, Okinawa Edition brought to you by Theis! 🌌 #FIBAWC x #WinForDeutschland 🇩🇪pic.twitter.com/7epZ6lezRv
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) August 25, 2023
Schroder maintained an average of 17.6 points per game across the six preparatory matches prior to this tournament, indicating his scoring ability even without being an elite 3-point shooter.
Considering the Raptors’ shortage of bench strength, Schroder might emerge as the long-awaited Sixth Man solution.
Franz Wagner, although only tallying 10 points, appeared content to let his brother take the lead in this game.
On the contrary, former Raptors guard Isaac Bonga faced difficulties, managing just four points from a 2-8 shooting performance despite significant playing time.
Yuta Watanabe, a former Raptors wing now with the Phoenix Suns, concluded the match with an impressive performance of 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Despite his efforts to secure a victory, his team’s frontcourt lacked the depth required to effectively counter both Schroder and Wagner simultaneously.
Germany is set to contend against Finland, a team that suffered a 26-point defeat against Australia but remains formidable with the looming presence of Lauri Markkanen.
Australia is likely perceived as the frontrunner to top the group, presenting a substantial challenge that will truly test Schroder’s capabilities.