Andre Roberson isn’t just back to practice. He’s actually brought something new.
His shooting form looks different than it has in previous seasons.
As reported by Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, Billy Donovan believes the new-found smoothness in his shot is a product of Roberson spending so much time over the last 20 months strictly working on his shot.
“I think because he’s had a limited amount of time being able to play five-on-five when he’s been able to work out,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said, “he’s spent a lot of time shooting, and I think it does look different. He’s had a lot of time to try to get better at it, try to work on it. I’ve talked to him a little bit about it, just his feel. He just tried to make, I think, a few minor changes to his shot.”
Erik Horne noticed a difference when Roberson stayed to work on free throws after practice on Friday, noting that his shot was “more of one motion”.
Roberson has been back to practicing with no restrictions after suffering a ruptured left patellar tendon during a game in January 2018. The injury and subsequent setback suffered before the start of the 2018-19 season has caused Roberson to miss the better part of the last two years.
Prior to the injury, Roberson wasn’t exactly known for his offensive prowess, and shot just 31.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Donovan did say that Roberson will see time in Sunday’s Blue & White Scrimmage, but the Thunder head coach is unsure of how many minutes Roberson will play.
When he does get in, it’ll be an opportunity to put the new shooting motion to the test against competition.
