Inside The Nets

Cam Thomas talks about how impactful Dennis Schroder is to the Nets locker room

Cam Thomas talks about how impactful Dennis Schroder is to the Nets locker room.

Peter Sunjic

© Cory Knowlton-USA TODAY Sports
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Dennis Schroder has been impactful since he joined the Nets in a trade with the Toronto Raptors. It was a deft move for General Manager Sean Marks, as they got a legitimate floor general who sets the table for the rest of the team.

As Dennis’ backcourt partner in the starting lineup, Thomas is glad to be teammates with the veteran guard because they work well together under the Nets’ interim head coach, Kevin Ollie.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s the point guard. It’s a point guard’s league. As long as he’s leading us in the right way, and getting us in the sets, talking, keeping everyone engaged. That’s all we can ask for from a point guard,” Cam said after a game against the Spurs. “It just came late in the year, mid-season or a little bit past that. Trying to make the transition as smooth as possible for him.”

Dennis’ leadership is valuable for the Nets

The Nets are a relatively young team, and Schroder is known for being a vocal player on the court and in the locker room. It’s a good match, as Dennis has settled into life in Brooklyn and is a reliable starter for Coach Ollie.

Schroder is also known for his leadership, as he was the team captain for Germany in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which they won. Dennis has brought that leadership to Brooklyn, and while they haven’t won many games this season, they have a set leadership structure within the locker room that involves Dennis and Mikal Bridges.

As one of the younger players, Cam is stepping up to that leadership role. He’s become more of a vocal player recently, which can be due to his budding backcourt partnership with Schroder.

Dennis is a better fit with Brooklyn than his predecessor

Dennis was in the trade that involved him getting dealt for Spencer Dinwiddie, the team’s de facto starting point guard in the first half of the season. Spencer was a good guard but wasn’t the floor general the team needed during Ben Simmons’ time on the sidelines.

Thankfully, Marks and the front office pulled off a good trade to get Schroder. The German guard settled in until the end of the 2024/25 season in Brooklyn, which will benefit Thomas and the rest of the Nets roster.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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