OKC Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan offered an update on Andre Roberson that left fans with more questions than answers regarding the wing’s health and return date.
At no time during the offseason, training camp or preseason did the OKC Thunder ever indicate that Andre Roberson wasn’t on track to be ready to start the 2019-20 season.
There was constancy in the message which was Roberson was on track to participate at camp, in the preseason and then be in the rotation at season start.
At best, the only hints the fanbase received about Roberson’s absence was now that he was getting in full contact practices the team wanted to exercise caution allowing his body time to heal between practice sessions and these sessions with contact.
Each and every game of the preseason the writing team at Thunderous Intentions kept speculating as did the fan base what game would mark Roberson’s return to the court.
In the absence of any concerning news, it was felt the team might wait for his debut to occur in the season as a way to add extra energy and motivation since this was a much anticipated event. This because Andre is beloved in OKC and what he’s been through on his road to recovery has no doubt been difficult for him.
Many of us were anxious to welcome him back after his long journey. So, when we hit the regular season and game after game the wing wasn’t in the lineup and no updates arrived the mystery of why rivaled how they get the caramel in Caramilk bars or the Where’s Waldo puzzle.
It simply made no sense, and suddenly we found ourselves drifting to thoughts of perhaps his knee wasn’t ready or the franchise was holding some important details back. Frustration set in as so many of the close games the OKC Thunder lost we couldn’t help but speculate on how ARob’s defensive presence to lock down a star could’ve been the difference in many of these clutch time losses.
Billy Donovan said there's nothing new to report with Andre Roberson, despite him sitting out today. pic.twitter.com/NjOpbLdU34
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) November 21, 2019
Then, on Thursday Billy Donovan was specifically questioned about Roberson – his health status and when he might be back in the lineup. The coach’s response (as per Maddie Lee’s tweet above) opened a can of worms based on the gaps that were left for us to fill in.
Perhaps I’m reading more into this but the takeaways from Donovan’s somewhat vague answer is:
- Roberson is nowhere near returning
- It’s not just a physical thing but a mental situation (confidence? ability?)
- His game isn’t what it used to be
How else is there any way to read this? Donovan’s message while without definitive information comes across like Dre has lost all confidence in his game (the mental references) and has regressed to the point the team isn’t willing to play him (read: he’s not all the way there). I mean we’re playing rookies with no experience so if Donovan is saying he’s not ready mentally or physically that implies he’s lost a step.
Earlier this week writer Rylan Stiles and I were discussing the situation and while I was still hopeful Dre would return with the same defensive potential Rylan made the astute observation that perhaps he won’t ever be that player again.
Following Donovan’s comments, it sure sounds like this is the more likely situation. Roberson has been through so much rehabbing to get back on the hardwood. As a huge fan of players who can stop an opposing superstar Dre was (in my humble opinion) the best at shutting down the best wings in the business like Klay Thompson, or Kawhi Leonard.
I still believe if the refs weren’t so whistle happy in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals resulting in Dre being mired to the bench then Klay isn’t able to go crazy in the third quarter and the Thunder win the series that night. That game more than any other demonstrated just how valuable Andre Roberson was to the OKC Thunder.
I hope I’m overreacting to Billy Donovan’s comments but without further clarification, all we can do is speculate (and/or overreact). The part of the message which is the most concerning was:
“able to provide quality minutes and you’re in a good place mentally and physically to be able to do that”
Maybe Donovan thought he was riding the middle line and helping Roberson by throwing out these comments and not giving full details but in my estimation, if Dre is having confidence problems or issues with comfort this statement would only escalate that situation.
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The next time reporters ask Donovan about Dre hopefully they’ll ask for a more detailed answer on what he meant. Specifically, BillyD should be asked:
- Is it realistic to assume Roberson can return to provide the same level of defense he was capable of prior to his injury?
- Has Dre completely lost his confidence?
- And most importantly, can OKC provide a window for when Roberson will play or should we assume there’s a possibility he won’t play this season at all.
It’s likely the OKC Thunder is simply taking the necessary precautions in Roberson’s recovery. But, after almost two years since the injury and allusions Dre would be back to start the season it’s time Donovan or Sam Presti provide a definitive answer. Even for the benefit of Andre since it’s likely the only thing he ever gets asked when out in the community.
Again, the hope is this is just the typical Donovan response and Roberson will still make a return. But, enough of the cloak and dagger nonsense — just clear it up and tell us the truth of the situation.
Until then, Roberson remains in my daily positive thoughts as I’m still hopeful the fans get to witness his defensive brilliance again and hopefully sooner than later.