Raptors guard Dennis Schroder discusses his fit on the roster, players changing their mentalities under new coaching staffs and more.

Video Transcript

- What is it about what you saw in him as an assistant coach that you think will translate really well to the main?

DENNIS SCHRODER: What I love about coach is that he keeps everybody in the locker room accountable. And I mean, we had Russell Westbrook, we had PG, and he kept everybody accountable. And it's not to take him down. It's to lift them up. And that's from the first player to the 15th player. And that's what I really like about Darko as a person. I know how he is. He's a family person. And we had a lot of break bread together in OKC. His family, such-- close to me as well. And my family, my wife, likes him as well. So it was an easy decision for me to come here because I know what he's about.

- Have you seen some of those changes, even in the first day here, come out as how he's evolved and improved as a coach?

DENNIS SCHRODER: Yeah. I mean, yesterday we had a meeting as a group. And he had his rules and the style of play, being a great teammate, everybody, it don't matter who you are. If it's coaching staff, front office, respect everyone. And I think that was a move to the right direction. Everybody knew, OK, that's how we want to play. That's how you got to be as a person to be great. And put the egos to the side and try to win games.

- These personal connections, is that different from the experiences that you've had? Because even yesterday, Gary was saying, [INAUDIBLE] "I've had already more conversations with Darko than any other coach I've had in my career."

DENNIS SCHRODER: Yeah. He loves to talk, and he cares about you. He's really want to know what your situation is, if it's family, if it's basketball. Off the court, he want to talk to you, and he really means it. I think that comes a long way. I think everybody respects that. And I think that meeting yesterday set the tone for us, for training camp, and then try to get better every single day.

- He's talked a lot about the specifically offensive style changes he wants to make, one through four being more interchangeable, making quicker decisions. You've been in this league for a little bit now. How much can guys change their habits and their playing style at various points of their career?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, I was five years in the league and then went from Atlanta to OKC, where I played with Russell and PG. Then my seventh season I played with Shay and Chris. After that, I played with LeBron and AD, then Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, back to LeBron James, AD, [INAUDIBLE]. And I found a way. If everybody is professional, everybody cares about winning, everybody puts their ego to the side, and we play team basketball. And I think that's what we did this summer with the national team, and I tried to bring this to this locker room. We got a great group of guys, great coaching staff, and we try to get better each day as a team.

- Have you talked to Darko about what your role could look like? I know you talked about playing in a lot of different roles with a lot of different guys over your career. Do you have a strong preference in terms of starting, coming off the bench?

DENNIS SCHRODER: For me, as long as we win, like I said, the last five years I was in any position. And I try to impact the game with the game and see what the team needs and that's what I bring to the table. It don't really matter. I'm grateful that I can play in the NBA. That it's my 11th season. I got three healthy kids, a nice wife, a family who's waiting for me in Germany. I'm grateful for this opportunity to be here. And orders coming off the bench, starting, and all that, I ain't got no time and energy to spend on it.

- Just in terms of the highs of the summer and the demands of the summer, do you feel like you're starting this camp refreshed or are you still trying to get your legs after, I presume, maybe a little bit of time off? How do you get ready for the NBA after such a demanding summer?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, yeah, after the 10th I didn't shoot a basketball. I was lifting still, but I tried to get away from basketball. I had two months of training camp, and then we went into the World Cup, so I did a lot of basketball. It was a great summer, like you mentioned. But like I said, this is a new season. And I just try to take that confidence and that play, what I did in Japan and Philippines, I just try to translate it into the NBA season.

- And are they wrapping you up a little bit or are you kind of already pretty much full gas?

DENNIS SCHRODER: No, I mean, they told me to take a step back. But for me, it's always, always tough when I already in practice. So I did full practice and just try to get in shape. The next couple of days is to get the team chemistry. But at the same time, get on the same page and get conditioning right. And so it don't matter. I just go through full practices.

- When you look at this roster and you had some choices, I presume, in free agency, apart from the connection with Darko, what about this roster said, you know what, this could be a good situation for me?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I mean, Darko was, like I said, the reason why I came. But all the other guys, the start of play, defensively, I think I fit in here playing defense and then play off our defense, play fast, kick the ball ahead. I think that's just great. It's almost like the national team. We've just got to get our roles together, everybody get on the same page, and I think we can do something.

- Do you and Jakob-- will you be speaking German in your pick-and-roll coverages?

DENNIS SCHRODER: I forgot you can speak a little. No, but all English. He's the anchor of our defense. Offensively, he's an important role as well. So it's going to take a couple of days to get on the same page with him. But with everybody in this locker room, just try to enjoy it and go out, give everything we have, and live with the results.