Before the Casketball European Championship
Final sprint for Schröder’s “Warrior”? World champions need Theis
Daniel Theis was in the NBA final and became world champion. This year it should be important for basketball Germany again. But does the body, which have been battered over the years?
This superlative was a little too little recognition for Dennis Schröder. When the German basketball captain said in the interview zone that he and his friend Daniel Theis were probably the best duo in Germany in the past ten years, Schröder interrupted: “Only in Germany?” The reporter quickly corrected and expanded the praise for the world champion duo geographically.
The “small, big brother”, as Schröder calls his long-time Buddy Theis, becomes a key figure for German basketball players in this summer summer. Two years after Manila’s World Cup triumph, the European Championship (August 27th to September 14th) could be Theis’ last big tournament. After all, the center is 33 years old and is increasingly susceptible to injuries.
Expert: “You absolutely need him”
He left the NBA towards AS Monaco this winter. Theis was missing there for a long time due to knee problems. These also made the NBA finalist from 2022 to prepare with the national team. Theis stopped twice against Slovenia and once against Serbia. His only use was the Supercup semi-final against Turkey, in which he looked a bit rusty and allowed some simple misses.
The two Spain games in Madrid on Thursday (9:00 p.m.) and in Cologne on Saturday (7 p.m.) not only become a sporty indicator – but also the stress test for Theis’ body. Do the knees hold? What does fitness do? “The few games have to be enough. In the end, he doesn’t miss that much. It was not yet the physique and not the confidence in his body as we know it,” said ex-international via Günther.
Günther and Theis once ran together in Ulm. While building actor Günther broke up and analyzes sport for magenta as a TV expert, Theis is still there – and valuable as ever. “You absolutely need it. He is the defensive anchor. Precisely because there are many question marks, Daniel is all the more important,” Günther told the German Press Agency.
Medal opportunities hang on Theis
National coach Alex Mumbru has been moderating a squad for weeks who has to deal with injuries, ailments and illnesses. Under the basket, the need is great this summer, because in Moritz Wagner (cruciate ligament tear) and NBA master Isaiah Hartenstein (rejection after a long season in the USA) lacks two high-class professionals. If Theis is not fit, the medal opportunities disappear enormously.
If it goes to Schröder, the interplay of the two friends is not only in the national jersey – but also in America in the future. “I would like to play with Daniel in an NBA team. I have known him since I was 15. When I go on the court and he is there, we understand each other blindly,” said Schröder about Theis.
Next generation is waiting
However, the fact that the 2.03 meter tall center, which Schröder calls “my warriior” calls, changes back to the best league in the world is unlikely. In the NBA, Theis has run up for the Boston Celtics, the Houston Rockets and most recently the New Orleans Pelicans over the years.
This summer could also become the last big hurray in the national team. In 2026 there is no big tournament, at the World Cup in Qatar 2027 would be theis 35. And Olympia in Los Angeles is another summer. The next generation around the NBA-Youngster Ariel Hukporti and Tristan Da Silva is ready. Orlando-professional da Silva should play a larger role this summer.
dpa
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
