Dennis Schroder must turn down brazen play to let Scottie Barnes shine
Schroder has been a valuable asset for the Raptors, but his bold playing style needs adjustment. Despite leading against the Miami Heat at halftime with a score of 66-64, the Raptors, led by Scottie Barnes and Dennis Schroder, ultimately fell short with a final score of 112-103. The game seemed winnable, especially with the Heat missing key starters, but Schroder’s unusual dominance in shot attempts, making only four out of 18, contributed to the team’s struggles.
Surprisingly, Schroder took more shots than both Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes, impacting the team’s offensive dynamics. Siakam and OG Anunoby had solid performances, highlighting the contrasting impact of Schroder’s playstyle. His ball-dominant approach limited Barnes’ opportunities, who had a slow start but surged in the fourth quarter.
To address this issue, the Raptors must instruct Schroder to be less dominant with the ball, as his current style adversely affects the entire team. Despite a poor performance from Barnes, there was a missed opportunity to exploit the Heat’s lack of rim protection. The team should minimize Schroder’s influence and rely more on Barnes, emphasizing his massive potential.
Dennis Schroder missed more shots tonight than Pascal Siakam attempted.
Siakam finished with 30pts .
— i. adan (@Imman_Adan) December 7, 2023
Schroder’s wild playing style disrupted the offensive flow, evident in Barnes’ subpar shooting night. While it’s reasonable for a player to demand the ball in tough situations, this game didn’t call for Schroder’s hero ball approach. Even struggling players like Gary Trent Jr. found success, underscoring the need for a more balanced offensive strategy.
10 NBA players have attempted 25 or more clutch shots this season (final five minutes of games within five points).
Here they are ranked by field goal percentage on those shots: pic.twitter.com/cXjUtjuuHQ
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) December 7, 2023
It’s crucial for the Raptors to communicate the necessity of running the offense through Barnes, especially given Schroder’s self-appointed go-to role in clutch moments. Despite Schroder’s overall utility, the coaching staff, led by Rajakovic, must assertively convey that the team’s success hinges on a more collaborative and balanced offensive approach centered around Barnes.