Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner are in absolute top form. This is proven not only by the good records of the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic, but also by the statistics.
By Kai Esser
Germany is a basketball nation. Attentive observers in this country have known this for a long time.
But now the Federal Republic is increasingly coming into the sights of Americans. While winning the 2023 World Cup title was dismissed with “It wasn’t our best team anyway,” the black-red-gold game is getting more and more respect.
This is mainly due to the two faces of the DBB: Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner. Both are currently catalysts for their teams’ success in the NBA. And that can be proven statistically. ran takes a look at the numbers.
Franz Wagner: Number 1 against his will
All American experts agree that Wagner is blessed with talent. However, everyone in the NBA is talented in some way. The trick is to stand out there. One thing that Wagner found difficult from time to time in his first years.
He was always a little in the shadow of Paolo Banchero, the clear face of the Orlando Magic franchise. However, Banchero is currently out, and all fans and experts expected Wagner to improve again in his absence. And the Berlin native delivered.
Since Banchero’s loss, Magic has not only won the most games, Franz has taken his personally good game to another level. The narrow win against the Los Angeles Lakers was a prime example. 37 points, eleven assists, six rebounds, four steals and every second shot from the field are possible. And that in the front yard of what is probably the greatest player in history with LeBron James – you couldn’t shout “Look at America” any louder.
In general, his statistics are strong: he scores 23.3 points per game, only 20 players in the league score better. What initially sounds like a lot is put into perspective by the outstanding defense that Wagner is now playing. Getting past him is now a difficult task.
Outstanding offense, strong defense and leadership qualities, which the 23-year-old has also acquired. His team and his head coach trust him in the important moments. Soft and hard factors that make Wagner an All-Star candidate right now.
Dennis Schröder: Suddenly a star again
It is quite surprising that the Brooklyn Nets are serious at all this season. The men from eastern New York City weren’t expected to do much, but with a record of 9-10, the Nets are fully in the race for the postseason. Even if not even a quarter of the season has been played.
They not only have Dennis Schröder to thank for this, but also. The point guard directs and dictates the Nets’ game like in his best times. Of course, these are qualities that are part of his job description, but in his ten-year career in the league, Schröder has rarely played better than he currently does.
Especially when it comes to the crucial minutes. If you look at the eight games in November, Schröder was on the floor for an average of 4:30 minutes in the last five minutes. And everyone knows: In crunch time you want your best players on that floor.
His great quality this season is not that measurable. Logically, eight points and seven assists against the Philadelphia 76ers don’t blow your mind. Much more impressive are selfless plays that help his team, even if they may not show up in his own box score.
Which doesn’t mean, with the best will in the world, that it can’t appear in that box score. In the last two games against the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, he put up 60 points and hit more than 40 percent of his threes both times.
Not to mention, he hit every one of the 16 free throws he attempted. Schröder is currently managing to do both the simple things and the difficult plays right. A thoroughly underestimated quality.
The two DBB figureheads meet at the top of their careers. It is the second of at least four duels. Wagner’s Magic won the first, but the two protagonists also shone at the end of October: 29 points for Franz, 20 points for Dennis.
And why at least four meetings? After all, that would also be possible in the playoffs…
