Why Dennis Schröder's World Cup Victory Didn't Secure him the "Sportsman of the Year" Title
Dennis Schröder, the NBA superstar, brought glory to Germany's basketball team by clinching the first-ever World Cup title. However, his name didn't appear on the list of nominees for "Sportsman of the Year." The reason stems from the established guidelines for team athletes, a predicament shared by soccer legends like Franz Beckenbauer and Fritz Walter.
At the Baden-Baden gala on 22:15/ZDF, athletes who distinguished themselves in team competitions get recognition, but their individual contributions are not considered for the "Sportsman of the Year" honor. This rule has been in place for decades.
The voting journalists have the option to add Schröder or other team sport athletes like Franz Wagner to their personal lists; however, the predetermined list of ten athletes lacks these outstanding team players' names. This makes winning the award quite challenging.
Even Daniel Theis, Schröder's teammate and the Los Angeles Clippers professional, voiced his disapproval of the preselection and emphasized that Schröder, the MVP of the tournament, deserved a spot on the list. Schröder's leadership and outstanding performances brought Germany its historical victory, further solidifying his case.
"It's pleasant when we win as a team," said Theis. "However, we achieved our greatest success already." The basketball players are undeniably strong contenders for the Team of the Year title.
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Dennis Schröder's exclusion from the "Sportsman of the Year" list is not solely due to the guidelines that favor individual athletes over team players. Instead, the selection criteria are more complex, encompassing an athlete's overall impact, consistency, and achievements across multiple seasons and competitions.
For instance, Luka Dončić, another prominent NBA star, has earned accolades in his home country and has consistently excelled in the NBA. His versatile skill set and consistent performances make him a strong candidate for such awards. The selection process often revolves around evaluating an athlete's contributions beyond a single achievement.
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Despite Dennis Schröder's spectacular performance as the NBA star who spearheaded Germany's first World Cup title and being named FIBA World Cup MVP, he did not get the individual "Sportsman of the Year" recognition. The list of ten athletes for individual recognition excluded team sport athletes like Schröder and Franz Wagner.
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