Next man up: 5 OKC Thunder players that can benefit from Hamidou Diallo’s absence

Mystery Man:

I’d be remiss to not at least offer up the option of inserting Andre Roberson into this equation. Logically, bringing him back to face reserve units would be the best way to gauge his progress while simultaneously not putting him directly under fire to produce (especially with Dennis Schroder who prefers to take the majority of the shots anyway).

The issue is each time Donovan is questioned about Roberson his answers have progressively been less positive. Beginning in training camp the impression was Dre was fully ready to return and be actively involved in a typical role. As camp turned to preseason his absence was explained away as the team taking precaution not to rush him back given he was finally playing contact ball after more than a year and a half off the hardwood.

Now, as the team nears the quarter pole the statements are giving the impression he may never play organized ball again. Joe Mussatto of the Oklahoman offered the following on November 21st on Donovan’s latest response to questions about Roberson:

"“But I think for him, he’s really not quite all the way there from a comfort standpoint. I think that’s what he’s trying to work towards.” There is no timeline for Roberson’s return. Donovan was asked last week if Roberson will play this season. “We’re hopeful,” Donovan said. “He’s a lot better off today than last year at this point. Where that leads and how far away from playing is he? It’s just too hard for me to say.”"

That certainly doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy about the potential he’ll return. The most concerning part is Donovan seems to be implying this is a mental thing with Andre, yet that’s diametrically opposed to what the wing himself was saying on media day.

Since the OKC Thunder always keep things close to the vest we’re left without the details on what happened between then and now. Did he reinjure the knee in training camp? Did he and the team underestimate where he was in his rehab?

Perhaps those are answers we’ll never know. After the effort he put in to come back the hope is that comes to fruition since he’s adored not just for his oncourt efforts but because of the person he is off the court.

Ultimately, if he’s close and this truly is about comfort the best case would be to get him on the hardwood so he can get past whatever reservations he has.