DENVER, CO - Dennis Schroder's debut with the Golden State Warriors turned out to be far from the fairy tale many had envisioned. After being traded from the Brooklyn Nets, expectations were high for the veteran guard, but the Warriors suffered an alarming 51-point defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The trade was meant to invigorate the Warriors as they looked to sharpen their playoff ambitions. Acquiring Schroder, who averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists this season, appeared to be just the boost the team needed. But the reality check came swiftly as Golden State struggled to find any rhythm against the Grizzlies.
Head coach Steve Kerr spoke candidly about Schroder's challenges postgame, acknowledging the hurdles faced by players adjusting to midseason trades. “Dennis [Schroder] looked like a guy on a new team. It’s always difficult to get traded midseason and play with a brand new group and have different terminology and all the stuff,” Kerr said.
During his debut, Schroder managed only 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, completing the game with just 2-of-12 shooting. The extent of the team’s woes was underscored by even bigger stars faltering; Stephen Curry and Draymond Green registered no field goals, marking their own struggles.
Despite Schroder’s quiet performance, Kerr remained optimistic. He noted the difficulties faced by not just Schroder, but by the whole team: “I know we’re going to bounce back, I’m not concerned about...We’ve got a lot to work to do to execute and learn how to execute under pressure and take care of the ball and get good shots.”
Schroder was not the only player experiencing difficulty; star guard Stephen Curry's performance was particularly concerning. Curry, hardly needing introduction, failed to make any of his shots across 24 minutes on the floor, scoring just two points. Kerr explained, “Look, they did a great job on Steph [Curry]. Denying him everywhere, making his every catch difficult.” This represented the seventh time in Curry's illustrious career he had failed to make even one field goal.
The Warriors, who have plummeted to 14-12 after starting the season 12-3, now face the Minnesota Timberwolves next on December 21, 2024. Their inability to even cross the 100-point mark against the Grizzlies raised significant concerns about their offensive plans moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies showcased their strength and cohesiveness, highlighting the Warriors' misfits. The Grizzlies have now won eight out of their last ten games and are firmly positioning themselves as top contenders.
This disappointing loss meant the Warriors find themselves positioned precariously at tenth place within the Western Conference, just slightly above the San Antonio Spurs.
For fans and analysts alike, Schroder's integration will be closely monitored as the Warriors aim to recalibrate their approach and aspirations moving forward. Only time will tell if he can help transform their struggling season.
With major challenges looming on the horizon, the spotlight remains fixed on the Warriors and their need for resilience against adversity.
