This is called a remarkable arrival. While he settled in Boston for a minimum contract of one year, Dennis Schröder made a bold choice. It is even a first in the NBA for 50 years.
Needless to return to the fiasco of the free agency of Dennis Schröder, everyone remembers it. After having completely cracked by refusing 84 million over 4 years to the Lakers, the former Hawks and Thunder saw his value stumble badly, to the point of having to settle for a small 6 million dollars in Boston. The episode is now digested, the German is sharp, and he only thinks of one thing: to shut mouths.
In a Boston team that will want to revive and was desperately looking for a quality leader, the ex-Laker should have plenty of time to make good stats and contribute positively to Ime Udoka’s system. But while waiting to set foot once more, Schröder has settled on a crucial choice: that of his number.
Accustomed to wearing 17 since his arrival in the league, DS had to change since the number in question is retired in Boston in honor of the late John Havlicek. The guard therefore surveyed the fans, and he came to the following conclusion, announced on Instagram:
After letting fans vote on which number he should wear, looks Dennis Schroder will wear #71 this season in Boston. If so, Schroder will be the first #71 in Celtics history. pic.twitter.com/PVhApe32ew
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 17, 2021
After letting fans vote on which number he should wear, it looks like Dennis Schröder will be sporting number 71 this season in Boston. If so, Schröder will be the first number 71 in Celtics history.
A first therefore… which calls for another! Via a little research, we indeed learn that the number 71 has only been worn by 3 players in the history of the league, the last time by McCoy McLemore, who retired at the end of the season. 1971-1972. Schröder has been dusting off a number in the closet for half a century, just that!
While it’s probably just a reversal of the #17 numbers he usually wears, some fans are already seeing this choice as a sign of DS’s upcoming short-lived stay in Boston. According to several C’s fans, the franchise only leaves wacky numbers for players who aren’t expected to stick around for long. However, Schröder will be a free agent next summer, and should probably look far from Massachusetts for the money he missed this summer…
It will take some getting used to, but it is with number 71 that Dennis Schröder will be on the court next season. A first for 50 years, hoping that it brings him luck!