Can Dennis Schroder Win Sixth Man in 2016?

Part of what made the Atlanta Hawks so dominant in 2015 was the play of both of the team’s point guards: Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder.  Teague earned his first All-Star selection and Schroder ascended to one of the league’s best bench players in 2015.  Though Teague looks to have control of the starting job for as long as he is an Atlanta Hawk, can Dennis Schroder win NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2016?

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The 21-year old German native averaged 10.0 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.9 turnovers in 77 games played for the Atlanta Hawks.  In Year Two in the NBA, Schroder averaged 19.7 MPG and positively affected the game on both ends of the floor.  He had 2.5 Win Shares this past season (1.1 on offense and 1.4 on defense) and was a slightly above average player in 2015 (15.7 PER).  Schroder shot the ball well for the Hawks: .427 from the field, .351 from three, and .827 from the charity stripe.  Across the board, Dennis Schroder improved immensely during his sophomore season with the Atlanta Hawks.

Though I don’t see as big of a leap in performance in Year Three for Dennis Schroder, I do think that he can mature and play more within Coach Mike Budenholzer’s system as a 22-year old.  His improved mid-to-long range game might allow Dennis to attack the paint more concisely in 2016 and not force up tough layups that opposing 7 footers can easily contest.  I think the dumb fouls will diminish as well.  There were times when he would hand check a wing unnecessarily to put the other team in the bonus way before Atlanta had to.  While I love his competitiveness and how he can zag when others zig, Dennis’ inherent stubbornness won’t die easy for Coach Bud.

The German Rondo or the next Tony Parker was in the mix for Sixth Man this year, albeit not a serious contender with the Clippers’ Jamal Crawford and eventual winner Raptors’ Lou Williams.  With the way Coach Bud’s system operates no starter for the Atlanta Hawks will lead the league in scoring, let alone an important rotational player.  But I do think that the gap between Teague and Schroder is dwindling, as Dennis could easily start on most teams as a three-year veteran next year.  There’s this intrinsic, intangible quality about Dennis Schroder that he can put his team over the top in crunch time.

It’s a tough task but if Schroder can improve a little more in Year Three and average 13.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 1.5 TOPG, Dennis Schroder could find himself on the short list for 2016 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.  I think his presence in Atlanta’s back court gives the Hawks great confidence to again win over 50 games in 2016, contend for the Southeastern Division Title, and play in Championship Series.  Is there a better point guard duo in the NBA than Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder?  Potentially with Irving and Dellavedova in Cleveland, but I think most GMs would feel ecstatic to have Teague and Schroder as their primary ball handlers.