Even those who poke fun at Andre Roberson’s complete lack of shooting cannot deny he’s a terrific perimeter defender. He assumes the toughest assignments on a regular basis, and yet he seldom gets torched.
Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan doesn’t think we talk about this impact enough. In fact, he thinks Roberson belongs in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. As he told Vice Sports’ Michael Pina:
“I definitely think he should be in the [Defensive Player of the Year] conversation,” Thunder head coach Billy Donovan told VICE Sports. “It’s not like I see every player, every single game, but just being with him for 60-plus games here, and what he did last year, there’s no question he should be in the conversation. He is an incredible defender in a lot of different ways.”
According to NBA Math’s Defensive Points Saved, Roberson profiles as the 22nd-most valuable defender in basketball. That puts him well behind favorites Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert, but considering the assignments he covers—top-tier wings and even some point guards—his presence in the top 25 is telling.
This is what makes Roberson’s foray into restricted free agency this summer so damn interesting. He’s shooting under 27 percent from three-point range on mostly wide-open looks, according to NBA.com, but there’s still a chance another team swoops in with a noticeably above-market offer that compels Oklahoma City to let him walk.
That’s an issue for another day, though. Right now, the Thunder are able to enjoy the defensive benefits that come with deploying a defender as capable as Roberson, who is most certainly one of the three best perimeter pests in the league.
