Dennis Schroder and his teammates take a moment to behold their World Cup feat. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Dennis Schroder knew what was about to happen as the noise outside of the press conference room inside the Mall of Asia Arena became louder and louder.
“Relax!” Schroder shouted as his teammates emerged from the back of the podium in an attempt to douse him with beer after he led Germany to the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup summit last Sunday.
Schroder was able to dodge the beer bath, but not the praises thrown his way after quarterbacking German’s undefeated run to the title, which included a semifinal dismissal of favorite United States and an 83-77 victory over Serbia in the championship match.
Coach Gordon Herbert paid tribute to Schroder, who was later named Most Valuable Player in front of 12,000 fans, even after flare-ups between them.
In Okinawa, the two had a heated exchange on the bench in a game against Slovenia, which Germany eventually won by a mile. Seven days later, the two were seen having a moment after the final buzzer, sharing a hug and the label of world champions.
“Dennis created his own identity in Germany. Give him credit,” said Herbert. “He has won the world championship … he has become a leader of this team. It’s time that we have to give him 100 percent in Germany.
“He has done what no one else has done in Germany. I think people will realize that in Germany. Dirk [Nowitzki] was before, Dennis is now,” he added.
Escape act
Schroder averaged 19.1 points on 44-percent shooting which would have been higher had he not gone four-of-26 in Germany’s escape act over Latvia in the quarterfinals. Schroder dropped 28 in the final, knocking down shots from midrange before sealing the deal by attacking the defense of the pesky Aleksa Avramovic to score a layup with 23 seconds to go.
And in the process, Schroder pulled off what Nowitzki, perhaps the greatest German baller of all-time, had never done in his stint for flag and country.
“I would lie [if I say that] growing up I watched him a lot,” Schroder said of Nowitzki. “He wasn’t my idol, really, because he’s not my position (as a guard). I watch a lot like Chris Paul, Tony Parker and Mike Conley. INQ