OKC Thunder: Andre Roberson can be the next one-sided player to build offensive game

Andre Roberson's offensive game is poor but his defensive game is what keeps him on the floor for the OKC Thunder. Roberson's development will be one to watch in the next season.

This past year was Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Andre Roberson's fourth year with the team out of Colorado. He showed progress during the playoffs by averaging 11.6 points a game, which is more than his career average in the regular season (4.5 points per game). He has played his whole young career with the OKC Thunder and has made a name for himself with his defense.

His defensive ability has shut down players like James Harden, who was held to 13 points in a November game against the Thunder. He went 1-for-5 from three and shot 25 percent from the field. Roberson was the primary defender.

Roberson's offensive stats are miserable and his highest scoring average was this past season at 6.6 points a game. He has not been the primary scorer and has not been the focus of the offense with the superstar being Russell Westbrook, but he has been a target for Westbrook on slashes to the basket and when he flies in the open court.

The lack of space when Roberson is on the court is evident though. When a player is open on the offensive side of the ball, that means he must get the ball. Roberson can't shoot well enough though. He shot 25 percent from three this season, so if you pass him the ball the chance of an open three going in is unlikely. That allows players to sag off of him and double Westbrook or double down on post players when Roberson passes the ball to the post.

If Roberson can develop a form of an offensive game he would follow in the footsteps of players like Andre Iguodala, Avery Bradley and Jimmy Butler. Iguodala started out his career with the Philadelphia 76ers who also drafted him. He was a defensive player primarily who would start his career averaging nine points a game and eventually his career-high was 19.9 points a game the year after Allen Iverson was traded from the Sixers.

Golden State Warriors

April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown (right) talks to forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Avery Bradley was strictly a defensive player drafted from Texas who averaged 1.7 points a game for his rookie year. His stats gradually increased every year until this season, where he averaged 16.3 points a game and helped the Celtics get to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Bradley scored a playoff career-high 29 points in a Game 5 against the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference semifinals to help win the game for the Celtics. and helped the team win in a Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers when he made the game winning three-pointer to give the Cavaliers their first loss of the season.

Bradley got a chance to start in 2012 when Ray Allen was moved to a bench role because of his inability to keep up with players on defense. Bradley has played all seven seasons with the Celtics and is a key part of their play on both sides of the ball.

Boston Celtics

Nov 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) defends during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 128-122. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Butler averaged 2.6 points a game in his rookie year and his scoring average also increased every year and he has made the All-Star game three times. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team this year.

This was his best scoring season at 23.9 points a game. Butler developed his post game and his midrange game over the 2014 offseason and it has elevated his career. Butler won the Most Improved Player award in 2014-15 and has now made a name for himself in the NBA.

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

To a lesser extent, this is what can be for Andre Roberson if he improves his offensive game. Some people thought earlier in the year that he maybe a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, but the finalists are Draymond Green, Rudy Gobert and Kawhi Leonard.

Roberson grew up idolizing the likes of Scottie Pippen and Tony Allen for their hard-nosed defense, but if he builds an offensive game then he will become the next in line of this trend.