Germany coach says Dennis Schroder deserves same respect as legend Dirk Nowitzki

For the longest time, Dirk Nowitzki has been the face of German basketball.

The former Dallas Mavericks star suited up for the Germany national team from his youth days all the way to the senior ranks, where he competed in various tournaments such as EuroBasket, Olympics, and World Championship.

As a professional cager, Nowitzki also made a name for himself in the NBA, steering Dallas to the 2011 NBA title while also bagging the Finals MVP plum. He is also a 14-time NBA All-Star and an MVP back in 2007.

In 2019, he officially called it a career.

Fast forward to the present, Germany may have found his heir apparent: Dennis Schroder.

Schroder, who plays for the Toronto Raptors, on Sunday proved that may just be true as he steered Germany to its first-ever World Cup championship and flexed his might against powerhouse Serbia.

Germany head coach Gordie Herbert concurred, saying Schroder deserves the same respect showered to Nowitzki back in the day.

"I mean, Dirk was obviously a tremendous player. Dennis is great as [something] in Germany. Give him credit. He’s won the world championship with this team, he’s become the leader of this team," Herbert said.

"It’s time that you know we give him 100% respect in Germany."

Herbert also lauded the commitment Schroder has given their national team, sharing it all started two years ago when he was first employed to call the shots for Germany.

"This goes back to 2021 where I got the job and the first thing I did is I met Dennis. In September 2021, we talked for about three or four hours and that's where it started," he recalled.

"I felt his heart, his commitment, his care for his country, for his national team, for his teammates."

Schroder's dedication has earned him not only the Naismith Trophy but also the MVP honors — the same recognition Nowitzki got in 2002.

"You know, Dirk was before, Dennis is now," Herbert added.

"With complete respect to Dirk, Dennis has taken over. MVP. World Championships. Gold medal. He deserves 100% respect for what he’s done and where he’s taken this team."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News