Although he may be overshadowed by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, former University of Colorado standout Andre Roberson has proven to be a valuable asset for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Friday’s throttling of the San Antonio Spurs certainly proved it.
Roberson did what he does best: play solid perimeter defense and make timely threes. Stationed mostly on Kawhi Leonard, Roberson held the Spurs’ star to three field goals in the first half and 0-3 from three-point territory. By the time Leonard was able to start hitting shots, the game was out of reach.
A regular starter due to his defensive skills, Roberson provided a surprising scoring boost, finishing with 14 points, one shy of his career high, including three makes from behind the arc. From a guy who has averaged 4.8 points per game this season and shoots 31.1 percent from three, such a performance was certainly unexpected. Before Friday, Roberson had only attempted seven shots in the series.
“I just told myself stop overthinking,” Roberson said after the game. “I put a lot of hard work into my shot, and I put too much pressure on myself sometimes trying to knock it in. Tonight, I told myself ‘play free.'”
From 2010-2013 Roberson was doing much of the same for the Buffs. Although only 6-foot-7, he was third in rebounding in the nation as a sophomore and second as a junior. Twice Roberson was named first-team All Pac-12 and was conference Defensive Player of the Year his final year in Boulder.
Roberson’s path to this point has not been easy. He was not a huge prospect coming into the NBA and faced multiple stints in the D-League with the Tulsa 66ers. The last two seasons, however, he has begun to create traction with the Thunder. This year he started in all 70 games he played.
Last night, in a 108-102 upset victory for the Thunder, Roberson chipped in seven points, five rebounds and some tremendous defense against the 73-win Warriors.
The Nuggets may not be in the playoffs, but there are certainly players, if not teams, worth rooting for this Spring.
