Cavs’ Dennis Schroder: Keeping ‘dog mentality’ can lead to big things

Dennis Schroder didn’t need much time to notice the difference between his current team and the old one.

In his first game with the Cavaliers after the trade from the Kings, Cleveland held the Clippers to 42 first-half points. The game was over early. The tone was set even earlier.

“Impressive win. Great group of guys,” Schroder said afterward. “Under 50 points at half — I don’t think we had that in (Sacramento) for a long time. Really competitive group who wants to play defense, share the ball, play fast. I love it. I feel comfortable already.”

That comfort has only grown.

Following his home debut alongside fellow newcomers James Harden and Keon Ellis, Schroder kept circling back to the same themes. Defense. Chemistry. Purpose.

“It was a rough two months for me at the beginning of the season,” he said after the Cavs’ 138-113 home win over the Wizards. “But being a part of Cleveland’s organization has been great. We didn’t even practice yet, but you can tell the chemistry is on a high notch.”

The subtext wasn’t subtle. Schroder went from a drifting situation in Kings colors to a Cavs group playing meaningful games with real stakes.

“I’m a winner. I try to win,” he said. “It’s tough when it’s not going your way. Waking up, going to practice, and winning isn’t really the focus. That’s tough.”

Still, Schroder made a point to close the door cleanly.

“I really appreciate Sac. They gave me security for my family,” he said. “But to be on this side now, where you play every single game to win, that excites me every day.”

On the floor, the fit is already visible. Ball pressure. Pace. Edge.

“The dog mentality,” Schroder said. “If we turn it up defensively, I think we can do big things here.”

In short, the Cavs didn’t trade for comfort when they acquired Schroder. They traded for bite.