Raptors’ OG Anunoby, Dennis Schroder discuss 2021 brawl

The Toronto Raptors saw fit to replace Fred VanVleet by plucking veteran guard Dennis Schroder away from the Los Angeles Lakers with a two-year deal worth just shy of $26 million. Many Raptors’ fans first thought after hearing the news was related to OG Anunoby and how they

Way back in the ill-fated Tampa season in 2021, Schroder and Anunoby got into a massive fight that featured the 6-7 Anunoby tossing the 6-1 Schroder to the ground and three players getting suspensions as a result of the tussle. Would Anunoby welcome Schroder as a teammate?

In a video from Schroder’s YouTube channel in which he met one of his new teammates and new head coach Darko Rajakovic in Las Vegas, the incident seems to be water under the bridge for both players. In fact, both parties were laughing about the whole situation.

Anunoby claimed that Schroder was flopping during the altercation, prompting some incredulous responses from the German point guard himself. If nothing else, Schroder appears to be meshing well with his new teammate as he makes his grand entrance.

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Toronto Raptors’ OG Anunoby, Dennis Schroder discuss fight

Schroder’s tussle with Anunoby was likely a byproduct of his hard-nosed and tireless style of play. That ability to consistently be a pest on both ends likely played into Masai Ujiri handing him such an expensive contract and effectively designating him as a key ball-handler.

Schroder might be the starting point guard if the team is not sold by Scottie Barnes’ ability to handle such an intensive role. However, the Raptors could (and like will) move Schroder to the bench and allow his veteran moxie to give this bench the leader it has needed for so long.

Schroder’s best offensive skills are his ability to get to the rim and set his teammates up, but he has molded himself into a very effective defender despite his size. That should play well in Rajakovic’s system, even if it means that he can occasionally get into a bit of a scrap with players on the other team.

Schroder seems like the type of player that opposing fans will get irritated at, but fans of the team he is on will appreciate it due to his relentless style of play. Luckily for the Raptors, he is going to be patrolling the sidelines for the next few seasons instead of causing havoc elsewhere.