‘If It Happens…’ LeBron James Offers Opinion on Dennis Schroder’s Hall of Fame Case

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with teammate Dennis Schroder #17 following a dunk during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Dirk Nowitzki is easily the best German basketball player ever. Dennis Schroder, meanwhile, is the best basketball player for Germany, ever.

This summer, Schroder led Germany to its first EuroBasket championship, taking home MVP honors along the way. He can also boast a FIBA World Cup win, FIBA MVP, fourth-place Olympic finish, and an Olympic All-Star Five nod.

In top-level contests, he has averaged a stellar 19.6 points and 8.3 assists for Germany while shooting 40% from 3-point range. He’s a superstar.

In the NBA, he’s a solid role-player who has played for ten different teams in 12 seasons. He has never been an All-Star or won a title.

However, after another successful season for his national team, his spot in the Hall of Fame is clear.

GettyLONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 22: Dennis Schroder of Germany takes on LeBron James of The United States during the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase match between USA and Germany at The O2 Arena on July 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

LeBron James Gives Honest Opinion on Hall of Fame Case

Schroder’s Atlanta Hawks battled against LeBron James’ Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010s, and he has twice shared the court with James on the Los Angeles Lakers.

In his NBA career, Schroder has averaged 13.9 points, 4.9 assists, and has been much less efficient from the floor. However, he is still an all-time great simply for putting German basketball on the map.

“I’ve seen a lot of his stats and a lot of accomplishments, as well this summer after EuroBasket,” prefaced James on an October 8th episode of his Mind the Game podcast. “If it happens, I wouldn’t be like, ‘Oh, my God, so proud of him.’ No, he’s putting in the work, man.”

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is not the NBA Hall of Fame. Rather, it represents the sport as a whole. Six players inducted never even made the NBA.

James doesn’t think the Hall of Fame should be limited, especially with Schroder’s international resume.

“The international game is a big part of our game in the whole grand scheme of things,” said James. “What they’ve been able to accomplish, what they’ve been able to do coming here to America and playing our league. And a lot of our guys go and play overseas as well. It’s all a totality.”

Schroder Is the Greatest German Hooper Ever

In the NBA, Schroder pales in comparison to Nowitzki, the only German currently in the Hall. Detlef Schrempf has more individual accolades than Schroder, as well, but neither of those legends achieved German success.

Of course, Schroder plays under more pressure than either of them, as he is continually scrutinized for being Black.

“I will never receive the same love in this country, because I am dark-skinned,” he said of his legacy compared to Nowitzki.

While that’s largely true, there’s no denying that Nowitzki had a more impactful NBA career. However, Dirk never made it to the World Cup or EuroBasket Finals, let alone winning either.

Nowitzki remains the best German basketball player ever, and no one is close to passing him. While wearing the Bundeswappen, however, no one is better than Schroder.