I don’t think he is a Laker – Magic Johnson on Dennis Schroder

LA Lakers legendary player Magic Johnson has lashed out at Dennis Schroder, who didn’t have a great first round conference series against Phoenix Suns. The Lakers were knocked out by the Suns after six games as they lost 4-2. Lakers talisman Anthony Davis was ruled out after the fourth game of the series due to groin injury.

Furthermore, LeBron James could not get the support he needed from Dennis Schroder and Kyle Kuzma. Thus, James was knocked out in the first playoff round for the first time in his glorious career of 18 years.

Schroder averaged 14.3 points, three rebounds and 2.8 assists, but he was scoreless on 0-for-9 shooting in the pivotal Game 5 blowout.

Johnson feels Schroder doesn’t bring the winning mentality and attitude to the table for the champion team.

“Schroder, I don’t think he’s a Laker,” Johnson said Friday on AM570 LA Sports. “That’s just my opinion. I don’t know if they’re going to sign him back or not. I don’t think he brings the winning mentality and attitude that we need.

However, Johnson added that he will support the German if he is signed back by the Lakers for the next season.

“And he had a chance to show that in this series and, to me, he failed in this series. But again, if he comes back as a Laker, I’m going to support him, I’m going cheer for him and all that, but I just don’t think he’s a Laker.”

The Lakers had traded Danny Green and Jaden McDaniels to the Thunder for Schroder in November. However, the 27-year old failed to live up to the expectations in the playoff series. The Lakers were hugely dependent on the shoulders of Anthony Davis and LeBron James and both of them could not be at their best because of their respective injuries.