LeBron James may have started a new chapter of his legendary NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers, but following his debut, the four-time NBA champion had some particularly flattering words for a familiar face from his past: Germany’s Dennis Schröder.
After Philadelphia’s season opener against the New York Knicks, James was asked about the extraordinary speed of his new teammate Tyrese Maxey and whether he had ever played alongside another guard who possessed a similar combination of offensive explosiveness and defensive quickness.
Despite having shared the court with countless talented guards throughout his 24-year NBA career, James didn’t have to look far for an answer. The first player who came to mind was Schröder.
“With that type of speed, I mean… how long am I doing this? I mean, the first guy that comes to my mind, like, with that, with speed, offensively, defensively, Dennis Schröder. Dennis Schröder is damn fast, too, with the ball, and defensively is damn good, too. Yeah, yeah, off the top of my head,” James explained.
LeBron praises Dennis Schröder following 76ers debut, when asked about Maxey comparison:
“The first guy that comes to my mind, with that, with speed, offensively, defensively, Dennis Schröder. Dennis Schröder is damn fast, too, with the ball, and defensively is damn good, too.” https://t.co/IXUWiI4aEe
— Len Werle (@RealLennyCarlos) October 21, 2026
The comparison represents considerable praise for the German national team captain, especially considering Maxey’s status as one of the NBA’s most explosive offensive guards.
James knows exactly what Schröder brings to the court. The two spent two separate seasons together with the Los Angeles Lakers, first in 2020-21 and again in 2022-23, when they helped Los Angeles reach the Western Conference Finals.
During their time together, Schröder’s speed, aggressive perimeter defense and ability to push the tempo made him a valuable contributor alongside James. While the German guard has never possessed Maxey’s scoring production, his quickness and defensive intensity have remained defining characteristics throughout his NBA career.
For Schröder, who has also established himself as one of the most accomplished players in German basketball history by leading Germany to the 2023 FIBA World Cup title and EuroBasket gold in 2025, the recognition carries particular significance.
On a night centered around James’ much-discussed debut in Philadelphia and his new partnership with Maxey, it was the German guard who unexpectedly received one of the most notable compliments.
And coming from a player who has spent more than two decades competing alongside and against the world’s best basketball talent, that is certainly no small endorsement.
