Dennis Schröder on role with Raptors: 'I'm here to lead the team'

Dennis Schröder, who is expected to become the Raptors starting point guard next season, announced his arrival in Toronto by saying he's looking forward to bringing experience and leadership to his new team.

Video Transcript

AARON ROSE: Hi, Dennis, welcome to Toronto, Aaron Rose, si.com. Can you-- why Toronto? And can you walk us through the process of how you ended up on the Raptors?

DENNIS SCHRODER: Why Toronto. I mean, Darko, head coach, plays a big part of it. I think the day of free agency, he called me and, I mean, he said, I mean, I'm a head coach now. And I know how he operates. I've been with him in OKC. He's a great guy, a European.

And I think the situation as well, you know, having young guys, having a couple of veterans. I think we can compete. And, I mean, I'm just, you know, there to lead-- lead the team, and try to make sure the young guys get better and compete on the highest level. So I'm excited and looking forward to it.

AARON ROSE: Obviously, the Raptors had a pretty good point guard last year, who is heading elsewhere-- or, headed elsewhere this summer. How did things transpire in free agency? Was there a plan to bring you guys in together? Did they sort of reach out to you after Fred left? Can you walk us through how it happened?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, I know Darko called me. And, I mean, I think Fred left at that point. I think it was second day. And, I, mean, of course, the Lakers, I played with them last year. And Darvin Ham is one, you know, like family to me. And that was an option as well.

But, I mean Toronto and Darko called me, and he told me what his plans are and what he, you know, try to accomplish. It was perfect for me, you know, and for my family. I believe Canada, Toronto is a nice city and more Europeanish. So, yeah, we looking forward to it.

- Awesome. Thanks, Dennis.

- Next-- next. we'll go to John. Go ahead, John.

- Welcome to Toronto, Dennis. Nice to see you. What'd you see your role being on the Raptors this upcoming season?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, I had to talk with Darko I think yesterday. We had breakfast together. And end of the day, just, you know, leading the team what a point guard should do, lead the team, being a role model for those young guys. I mean, I got 10 years under my belt now. And really proud of it because that's not-- you know, can't take it for granted.

But for me, it's just you know, helping the young guys, helping my teammates, competing on the highest level, and show him the way. Because I had a lot of great veterans, with Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, DeMarco, Lou Williams, a lot of people who took care of me. And I try to do the same thing here for my team, here for Darko, on the court, but off the court as well.

- Already mentioned the departure of Fred VanVleet. And he was obviously one of the big leaders in this club's locker room. How would you describe your leadership style? And, you know, on the court, off the court, what does that look like?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, on the court, you know, I never asked anybody for things what I wouldn't do. And I think I compete, you know, on the highest level--

- [? Can you ?] send me the audio?

DENNIS SCHRODER: Every game, I treat it like it's my last game, and give everything I have, and try to lead by example. You know--

- I don't know yet. [INAUDIBLE].

--practice days, be there early, I mean, and just show the young guys, you know, to be a professional.

But off the court, you know, I like to hang out with my teammates, and go to eat have, have some fun, maybe go to Topgolf or whatever. and you know, just be-- you know, try to find the chemistry. Because chemistry, at the end of the day, is, I mean, the most important, and having fun with everything. You know, you can't take it for granted.

I think in the NBA, to be a part of the NBA, it don't matter if you're a player, coaching, staff, front office. I think that's the best jobs in the world. So just, you know, try to teach the young guys that and be grateful.

- Just as one follow up, are you in Toronto right now?

DENNIS SCHRODER: No. I'm in Vegas. I'm supposed to say that?

- Yeah. [LAUGHS]

- Yeah. Cool. Thanks. And once again, welcome to Toronto.

DENNIS SCHRODER: Thank you, I appreciate it.

- Thank you. Next, we'll go to Doug Smith, the "Toronto Star." Go ahead, Doug

DOUG SMITH: Hey, Dennis, it's Doug Smith again. How are you, sir?

DENNIS SCHRODER: Good, good, good, thanks.

DOUG SMITH: Good, good. Hey, I wanted to ask you, when you're playing with the German National Team, you have a lot of scoring responsibility and a lot of leadership responsibility there. How has that sort of helped you get to where you are in your NBA career?

DENNIS SCHRODER: It helped me a lot. I mean, just to play, you know, during the summer, high-level you know, competitiveness against the best guys in Europe. It's great to play, you know, for the National Team. And I'm always gonna do that. And I think I raise my, you know, level of play, always, when I'm playing during the summer. So Summer League is important to me. And, yeah, I mean.

DOUG SMITH: Does that give you a different level of confidence by the stuff you've been able to accomplish with that German National Team, to carry through to the NBA?

DENNIS SCHRODER: Yeah. I mean, that too. Having my own team in Germany, you know, the guys who was there, really, you know, let them lead, like, I lee-- no, they let me lead the whole team. And, I mean, of course, now, with the Toronto Raptors, it's similar situation. And I'm looking forward to that-- that situation. And, yeah, I can't wait.

DOUG SMITH: That's great. Thanks so much. Appreciate your time again.

DENNIS SCHRODER: All right.

- Thank you. As a reminder, if you have a question, please raise your hand. Next we'll go to Vivek Jacob, raptors.com. Go ahead, Vivek.

VIVEK JACOB: Hey, Dennis, congratulations on joining the Raptors. You mentioned that you're in Vegas. I was just wondering who you've had a chance to interact with so far in Vegas and who you've maybe kind of hit it off with.

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, first off, when I landed on Monday, coaches, Masai. I worked out, you know, with the assistant coaches, get to know them a little bit, and then met OG Anunoby and Chris Boucher. That's pretty much it.

But I'm looking forward to it, you know, when we get all together. I'm gonna, you know, take their numbers down, and reach out to them, and try to get the chemistry going right now. So, yep..

VIVEK JACOB: OJ said you flopped when you guys had that little [CHUCKLES] exchange. What's your take?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I definitely didn't flop. But, I mean, we talked about it. We squashed it. I think, in the heat of the moment, you know, you compete on the highest level. And you know, sometimes things get a little bit, you know, messy. But, end of the day, I appreciate them, how they play. They always compete on the highest level as well. So that's the reason why I think that's the best fit you know, for me, and my family of course. But, I mean, on the court, it matches. And I just try to bring everybody together, you know, play as a team, and try to make the playoffs.

VIVEK JACOB: And you mentioned your time in OKC with Darko. And, you know, at OKC, you guys surprised a lot of people that you're-- you know, you had that great three-guard lineup with CP and J. and I was just wondering, you know, do you view this situation as comparable? And what have you maybe learned from that situation that's gonna help you here?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, the last four or five years, I've played with, you know, Hall of Famers. Started with, you know, [INAUDIBLE] and PG in OKC, then Shea and C-- Shea and CP, then going to the Lakers with Bron and AD, and then in Boston with Jalen and Jayson.

So I basically can play any type of, you know, situation now. I learned that in my career. But, end of the day here, I think they just need, you know, a point guard who leads, show them the way, doing everything together, and having that winning mentality. And I think I just try to bring that to the team and to this organization. That's it.

VIVEK JACOB: Thanks a lot, Dennis.

DENNIS SCHRODER: Yep.

- We'll go back to Aaron Rose, si.com. Go ahead, Aaron.

AARON ROSE: Hey, Dennis, a couple more for you. You know Darko better than any of us. What should we be expecting from him? What kind of coach is he? And what should Raptors fans know?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, he keeping everybody accountable. That's the first thing. For me, as a coach, you got to keep everybody accountable and keeping everybody in the locker room together. And he doing that. It don't matter how hard, he gonna tell you what it is. if you did something wrong or good, he's gonna tell you straight and direct. And I appreciate that, as a player. And I'm the same way. so that's the first thing.

I mean, great dad, husband, family guy. But, I mean, it's, just-- I mean, he was a assistant coach back then. But he basically did everything like he was the head coach. So I was working with him, you know, doing individual workouts, watch a lot of film.

So, yeah, I mean, he's just such a great guy. And I'm looking forward to you know, him being a head coach and me just starting point you know, try to get to our goals.

AARON ROSE: Can you remember an example of a time he was pivotal in sort helping you as a young player in your development?

DENNIS SCHRODER: A situation, no. But it was plenty situations, you know, where he told me this is wrong or this is right. And he told me straight and direct. And when I was younger, I didn't-- like, I was, you know, thinking about it twice why he said it to me.

And now, being in my 11th year, coming into my 11th year, I understand why he did that, try to make me better every single day. And that's what I appreciate about him. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

AARON ROSE: Thank you.

- Thanks. We'll back to Vivek. Go ahead, Vivek.

VIVEK JACOB: Hey, Dennis, just quickly, you mentioned being the starting point guard. I was just wondering if that was already communicated to you that you will be the starting point guard.

DENNIS SCHRODER: Oh, I mean, for me, like I said, the Lakers situations, I can adjust to everything. Of course, I talked to Darko. And-- but for me, I just try to do everything I can in my power what I can control, you know, and try to win games. So whatever situation I'm in, don't matter if I'm coming off the bench, if I'm starting, I try to bring the same mentality. And I think I showed it over the last few years. And-- but of course, I want to, you know, start, if it's-- I mean, that's one of my, you know, like, goals to establish that and to lead the team, you know? And I think me and Darko talked about it. And, yeah, we gonna be fine.

VIVEK JACOB: Thanks, Dennis.

- Great. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Dennis, for your time. Welcome to the team.

DENNIS SCHRODER: Thank you.