Roberson’s mood was high. The confidence that understandably and naturally wavered over the past two and a half years was back.
The first four minutes that Roberson played against the Celtics, he was just literally getting his feet under him. New shoes and a fresh, slippery court had him sliding around a bit.
On defense he was marking Celtics guard Grant Williams, closing out on the perimeter, contesting rebounds and on offense, he was moving off of the ball and keeping the floor spaced. At a stoppage, he went over to talk to Billy Donovan, the Thunder’s Head Coach, who has been tied to Roberson throughout the past 909 days, keeping him involved in game plans and setting up film sessions for him to lead with young teammates.
“It’s been inspiring to see him out there. I couldn't be happier for him,” said Donovan. “It’s been a long two years. I'm sure for him that he's had his moments of ups and downs, more so we probably all any of us can realize or imagine.”
As Roberson adjusted the jersey that surely took a bit of getting used to again, former Thunder center Enes Kanter walked past and gave him a hearty pat on the chest, congratulating him on being back on the floor. Soon though, it was Roberson that was giving it right back to the Celtics big man.
After pump-faking in the left corner, Roberson drove past Kanter, lost the handle for a brief second then collected the ball again and finished a quick layup from under the rim. It was his first two points since the two that were taken away from him by his patellar tendon on that fateful night in Detroit.
“It was an unbelievable feeling for us to see one of our brothers, who we know what he’s been through mentally,” said Thunder point guard and NBPA President Chris Paul. “The circumstances that took place gave him this opportunity, so to see him out here playing this game we know he loves was special for everybody on our team.”
Roberson later buried a corner three-pointer in front of Kanter and held up three fingers as he ran back up the court, soaking in Adams flexing and screaming, Paul hollering and the rest of the Thunder players and staff whooping it up.
The 6-foot-7 guard also showed that his natural instincts on the defensive side of the ball haven’t left him. He battled for defensive boards, either grabbing them or keeping them alive. On one play he came over in help-side defense to make a deflection then a steal. A few possessions later, he recovered on a drive by Celtics guard Javonte Green and swatted a layup attempt off the backboard. Two quintessential Andre Roberson plays, in only his first game back.
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909 Days Later, Roberson Plays Again - OKCThunder.com
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