On December 18, 2024, Dennis Schroder made his much-anticipated debut with the Golden State Warriors as they faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center. Acquired from the Brooklyn Nets just days prior, the expectations for Schroder were high, especially considering the Warriors' recent struggles—losing nine of their last eleven games.
Unfortunately for Schroder and the Warriors, the night quickly turned disastrous. The Grizzlies handed Golden State one of their worst defeats of the season, thumping them 144-93. It was not just any loss; it marked the worst margin of defeat for the Warriors, with Schroder finishing the game with only five points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field and 0-of-4 from three-point range, indicating the turbulent start to his time with the team.
"It was just a humbling night all around," reflected Warriors head coach Steve Kerr after the game, acknowledging the team's disappointing performance. Often, new players take some time to adjust to their surroundings, and for Schroder, fitting seamlessly with the Warriors' existing flow during his first outing proved to be quite the challenge.
Despite the disheartening outcome, the Warriors’ star guard Stephen Curry urged fans not to allow this one game to define Schroder's potential with the franchise. "You don’t want the results of tonight to kind of paint the picture of what Dennis can do for our team," Curry asserted, voicing optimism for the future.
Part of the challenge for Schroder came from the distinct style of play employed by the Warriors, renowned for their fast-paced ball movement and quick scoring opportunities. Conversely, Schroder thrives more within the slow, half-court pick-and-roll style—a transition challenging for both him and the team to navigate immediately. Kerr pointed out, "You could tell with Dennis; it’s always tough when you're traded during the season," highlighting the difficulties new players face when adapting to different systems and terminology.
Consequently, the Warriors offense during the game felt disjointed. Prior to Schroder’s arrival, Golden State was coping with significant issues offensively, managing only 93 points against the Grizzlies. Now, with their new acquisition, the pressure mounted to significantly improve their performance.
That night saw the Warriors struggle right from the start, falling behind 37-15 after the first quarter. With Schroder on the court for 22 minutes, he recorded five assists and two rebounds, yet his shooting woes were evident as he failed to find his rhythm.
Looking back at the matchup, Kerr lamented, "It was truly humiliaring evening. They really handed it to us; we couldn't get anything going." While methods of changing their offensive game plan could take longer than one night, it was clear to the coaching staff and players alike there is much work to be done.
Schroder donned the No. 71 jersey for the Warriors, as he respected the retirement of No. 17, previously worn by Chris Mullin, one of the franchise's greats. Interestingly, he joins the ranks of past players like McCoy McLemore and Vladmir Radmanovic, who have worn numbers between 70 and 79.
While the team's overall performance suffered against Memphis, Kerr and Curry were optimistic about the potential contributions Schroder could eventually deliver. The coaching staff now faces the task of methodically integrating him without losing his unique strengths, as the Warriors have relied upon the ability to share responsibilities among ball handlers historically.
Looking to the coming weeks, both Kerr and Curry emphasized the importance of patience with Schroder’s transition. Curry said, "I think we all gotta just come together to get the right shots," indicating the collaborative effort needed to turn the tide on the team’s current standing.
The difficulties faced by the Warriors extend beyond just the new addition of Schroder. Overall, the Warriors are grappling with coherence on offense, as highlighted by their sixth-ranked defense unable to yield results with consistent turnovers and missed shots squandering transition opportunities.
Nonetheless, fans remain optimistic and curious to see how Schroder will evolve within the system. The aftermath of this game poses the question: can Dennis Schroder truly turn the Warriors’ season around, or is this downward spiral hard to reverse?
The Golden State coaching staff is committed to developing strategies to leverage Schroder's playmaking abilities alongside those of Steph Curry. "For me, it's just like I said before, I played with Hall-of-Famers… and I always find my ways," said Schroder, indicating his determination to contribute effectively moving forward.
With the opportunity to adapt and make adjustments, the team looks toward the next matchups for promising signs of improvement. Warriors fans and analysts alike are hoping for the best outcome from this experiment as the season progresses.
