Dennis Schroder Is Okay With Taking A Bench Role With The Celtics: "For Me, It Don't Matter If I'm Starting... It's The Same Mindset Every Time."

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Dennis Schroder signed with the Boston Celtics on a mid-level deal this past offseason, giving the team a great point guard next to their present core. Schroder is a capable scorer and offensive player.

The Boston Celtics will provide Dennis Schroder with a new start, and perhaps he'll have a better season than he did with the Los Angeles Lakers. One of the biggest criticisms of Schroder during his time with the Lakers was his insistence on being a starter, despite him excelling in a 6th man role with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dennis Schroder as a starter didn't end up working out for the Lakers, and Ramona Shelburne notably reported that Schroder's play "frustrated some in the organization".

It seems as though Dennis Schroder has had a change of heart about having a starting role. In a recent interview with Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports, Schroder revealed that starting doesn't matter to him, and he'll "try to win the game" no matter what role he is placed in.

“For me, it don’t matter if I’m starting, if I’m coming off the bench, it's the same mindset every single time. So I'll try to win the game. When I get on the court, I compete. On both ends of the floor. And it don't matter what role it is."

Dennis Schroder averaged 18.9 PPG off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019-20 season, and perhaps he can reprise a similar role with the Boston Celtics. Schroder would definitely start for some teams in the NBA, and having a point guard like him providing quick scoring off of the bench is a luxury for the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics were eliminated in the first round this season, though if they have Jaylen Brown for the playoffs during the 2021-22 playoffs, they'll certainly do better. Dennis Schroder was a great veteran addition to the squad, and he could be someone that helps the Celtics get further in the playoffs. We'll see how the Celtics end up doing next season, but after their acquisitions via free agency/trade, they are certainly a better team.