I haven’t been around Dennis Schröder long, but I’ve seen enough to know that he has a pretty good sense of humor about most things.
Think about it.
You sort of have to be like that to not lose your freakin’ mind when you walked away from a four-year, $84 million contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, and instead wound up having little choice but to sign a one-year deal in Boston for $5.9 million.
But it’s looking like Schröder may get the last laugh after all, because he is absolutely ballin’ out this season to the point where there’s a good shot he’ll get that major payday after all.
With Jaylen Brown’s hamstring injury taking longer to heal than expected - Brown last played Nov. 4 and was expected to miss 7-10 days, but we’re heading into his third week of being sidelined - Schröder has made the most of his time as a fill-in starter.
In the seven games Boston has played without Brown out due to his right hamstring injury, Schröder has averaged 22.3 points to go with four rebounds and four assists.
“That boy nice!” tweeted Brown after Schröder scored a career-high 38 points in a Celtics win over the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month.
He’s right.
Schröder is nice; nice enough to not get too down on himself for betting on himself last offseason in what wound up costing him nearly $80 million.
But here’s the thing.
He’s playing well, making the most of his opportunity in a more expanded role (even if it’s temporary), the kind of role that you see guys in the $20 million-a-year range play.
And as embarrassing as leaving that much money on the table may be, Schröder has alluded to his decision to not return may have included other factors besides wanting more money.
“For me, personally, I’ve got to be comfortable in the environment I’m in,” Schröder told reporters. “I love the Lakers organization and they did some great things. But it’s just business.
He added, “I don’t think I fit in 100 percent. You play with LeBron (James) and [Anthony Davis], two of the best players in the NBA, I don’t think I gave them everything that I bring to the table.”
Fitting in has not been an issue for Schröder in Boston, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.
“Money is not everything,” he said. “At all times, I want to be comfortable in my situation and know that people appreciate me. At the end of the day, that’s it.”
And there lies the greatest distinction between the team he’s with now in Boston, and the team he played for in Los Angeles.
Schröder isn’t all that different than you and I. He wants to compete, be successful and be in a situation surrounded by people who understand and appreciate his value and what he brings to the job.
So as much as fans will look back on his decision to not re-sign with the Lakers as him dropping the money bag, being in an organization that appreciates his talents, is priceless.
Think about it.
You sort of have to be like that to not lose your freakin’ mind when you walked away from a four-year, $84 million contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, and instead wound up having little choice but to sign a one-year deal in Boston for $5.9 million.
But it’s looking like Schröder may get the last laugh after all, because he is absolutely ballin’ out this season to the point where there’s a good shot he’ll get that major payday after all.
With Jaylen Brown’s hamstring injury taking longer to heal than expected - Brown last played Nov. 4 and was expected to miss 7-10 days, but we’re heading into his third week of being sidelined - Schröder has made the most of his time as a fill-in starter.
In the seven games Boston has played without Brown out due to his right hamstring injury, Schröder has averaged 22.3 points to go with four rebounds and four assists.
“That boy nice!” tweeted Brown after Schröder scored a career-high 38 points in a Celtics win over the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month.
He’s right.
Schröder is nice; nice enough to not get too down on himself for betting on himself last offseason in what wound up costing him nearly $80 million.
But here’s the thing.
He’s playing well, making the most of his opportunity in a more expanded role (even if it’s temporary), the kind of role that you see guys in the $20 million-a-year range play.
And as embarrassing as leaving that much money on the table may be, Schröder has alluded to his decision to not return may have included other factors besides wanting more money.
“For me, personally, I’ve got to be comfortable in the environment I’m in,” Schröder told reporters. “I love the Lakers organization and they did some great things. But it’s just business.
He added, “I don’t think I fit in 100 percent. You play with LeBron (James) and [Anthony Davis], two of the best players in the NBA, I don’t think I gave them everything that I bring to the table.”
Fitting in has not been an issue for Schröder in Boston, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.
“Money is not everything,” he said. “At all times, I want to be comfortable in my situation and know that people appreciate me. At the end of the day, that’s it.”
And there lies the greatest distinction between the team he’s with now in Boston, and the team he played for in Los Angeles.
Schröder isn’t all that different than you and I. He wants to compete, be successful and be in a situation surrounded by people who understand and appreciate his value and what he brings to the job.
So as much as fans will look back on his decision to not re-sign with the Lakers as him dropping the money bag, being in an organization that appreciates his talents, is priceless.
