In a thrilling battle at the Lakers' home court, they defeated the Raptors with perseverance. For the Lakers, the victory was like a climax of ups and downs, and although the process was breathtakingly tense, the final good ending undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the team. This game is crucial for both sides: the Lakers are in desperate need of a comeback win against the Clippers to restart their winning streak, as a succession will prevent their season goals from falling through the cracks. The Raptors, on the other hand, took a breath of relief after their recent trade, and they were widely believed to have suffered losses in the trade market, but they responded with a proud 3-1 record in an attempt to continue that strong performance and prove their worth.
And in this trip to Los Angeles, Raptors guard Dennis Schroder's mood is undoubtedly complicated. Although his time with the Lakers spanned only two seasons, the highs and lows of his career converged here in a vivid picture. When he first wore the Lakers jersey, Schroder carried controversy, he insisted on starting a position, and rejected the Lakers' contract extension proposal twice in a row. With the Lakers' first-round playoff defeat, Schroder's professional image fell to the freezing point, and his reputation slipped to the lowest point of his career. When the free agent market opened, the former hopeful didn't get the big contract he was hoping for, instead only a $5.9 million contract from the Celtics before being traded to the Rockets in the middle of the season. There, his light gradually dimmed, and his former main identity was reduced to a base-salary player in a blink of an eye, which couldn't help but make people feel emotional.
Schroder's self-redemption finally made a strong mark on the Lakers. Faced with the challenge of base salary, he won the attention of many teams with his tenacity and perseverance, but he resolutely chose to return to the Lakers and led the team out of the trough and into the Western Conference Finals with a tough performance. Between seasons, Schroder signed with the Raptors and signed a two-year contract worth $26 million, and was once again promoted to a player with an annual salary of 10 million. In just two years, Schroder has experienced a rollercoaster of career ups and downs, a twist and turn that has tied him to the Lakers.
When Schroder returned to the Los Angeles Lakers' home court as a member of the visiting team, he confided in ** frankly, reflected on his past choices, and expressed remorse. In an in-depth interview with Yahoo Sports, Schroder publicly admitted for the first time that he had the opportunity to accept a four-year, $84 million contract from the Lakers, but failed to do so due to the intervention of his former agent. He said bluntly: "I would have signed and drawn, and I would never let the opportunity slip away, and my mother never taught me to do so." Although it was the darkest two years of his career, he was thankful that he had healthy children, family and loved ones by his side to get through that difficult time.
After the Lakers redeemed themselves, Schroder chose to face the past and showed deep regret for his original decision. Deep down he longs to stay with the Lakers and continue to play under Coach Ham because Ham is the one who truly understands and respects him. Although he currently has a high salary with the Raptors, his status on the team has gradually declined, especially after Russell joined, and he was moved to the bench. However, Coach Ham's charismatic personality and communication style made Schroder feel comfortable, and he would patiently convince Schroder to accept the bench role, while the Raptors coaching team did not give him the same respectful experience.
Unfortunately, in reality, the Lakers can only offer a half-year exception of about $4.5 million, and Schroder can't make sacrifices compared to the Raptors' high salary. Looking back, if he accepted the Lakers' contract extension at that time, it was undoubtedly the best ending, which not only allowed him to stay in the Lakers family, but also ensured a good income. However, Schroeder no longer has the right to make a new choice, but he has achieved profound growth through these twists and turns.
In this journey of self-redemption, Schroeder not only led the German men's basketball team to win the bronze medal in the European Championships as a dark horse, but also led the team to win the World Cup after the Lakers experienced the baptism. It is these grinds that have allowed Schroeder to complete its transformation. At the beginning of the season, he was like a wind at dawn, impressive and efficient, but as the season progressed, his form returned to normal, and the Raptors' record also declined, eventually causing him to lose his starting position. Even when he was unhappy with his role as a substitute, Schröder's approach to problems has become more mature and steady, showing his professionalism and giving his all when he comes on. It is clear that after all the setbacks, Schroeder has become more mature and resilient.