An important element to success in the NBA is team chemistry, and it sounds like the Oklahoma City Thunder already have a strong foundation.

Dennis Schröder told reporters following the ‘Blue and White’ scrimmage that when he first arrived in Oklahoma following the Carmelo Anthony, the team chemistry was ‘amazing’ and that the team was like a ‘big family.’

Dennis Schröder said he feels very comfortable playing with the Thunder after the offseason, first week of camp: “When I came into the gym, the team chemistry was amazing. It was like a big family.” pic.twitter.com/EqtvVPOLqJ — Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) September 30, 2018

It’s important that Schröder in particular is comfortable with his new Thunder teammates. He will be filling in for Russell Westbrook as the starting point guard until he returns to the lineup.

The leaders of the starting unit have already praised Schröder for how he makes the game easier for them.

After the ‘Blue and White’ scrimmage, Paul George mentioned to the media that Schröder makes his job easier.

Dennis Schröder says that Paul George “makes my job easy.” The pair had a bunch of buckets together. — Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) September 30, 2018

With George being a highly impactful off-ball offensive threat, it should be a natural fit to play with a talented playmaking threat like the German guard.

Steven Adams has frequently praised Schröder since the start of training camp. Earlier in the week, Adams highlighted how Schröder does a great job of running the pick-and-roll.

“His ability just to read the different screens, and not just read them but set up his man, if that makes sense,” Adams said. “It’s a big difference that I notice in guards that know how to use pick-and-rolls.” “He knows how to use that. And his tempo off that, his pace off that, is very clean.”

Adams is another player that thrives offensively when he has a talented playmaker alongside him to create shots, whether it’s in the pick-and-roll, on cuts or making post entry passes.

It’s no secret that Oklahoma City heavily relies on Westbrook but they have never have been better equipped to handle him missing time than now.

The rationale behind the Thunder being prepared to handle Westbrook’s absence is that it’s genuinely rare to have a backup point guard that is used to shouldering a high level of playmaking responsibility like Schröder.

Having a strong foundation heading into the season should only Schröder and the Thunder hit the ground running.