The reprieve came nearly three weeks ago, but Stanley Roberts was not quite ready.
His surgically-repaired left ankle still had not healed. And there were lingering community service hours to complete, and papers to sign before returning to professional basketball.
Roberts has waited more than three years to come back to the National Basketball Association. During that time, he cleaned up his drug problem, served his probation for cocaine possession, endured the snickers and slights, and got by with what little remained of the millions he had earned while playing for eight NBA seasons.
What, really, were another couple weeks?
Yesterday, the National Basketball Association reinstated Roberts, a onetime 76ers center who, on Nov. 24, 1999, became the first player to be banned under the league's anti-drug program. Although Roberts played in just five games for the Sixers, averaging two points and three rebounds in 1999-2000, the Sixers retain his rights, and have 30 days to decide whether to create a roster spot for him.
Undoubtedly, the Sixers, like many teams across the league, could use a skilled 7-foot-1 big man to clog the middle, alter shots and grab rebounds. But just as certain is the uncertainly over what Roberts, at 32, has left to offer.
"I never knew if Stanley really loved to play," Larry Brown, who also coached Roberts with the Los Angeles Clippers in 1992-93, said yesterday after the Sixers prepared for tonight's game against Milwaukee. "I know he liked a lot of things that come with being a professional athlete...
"I love Stanley. He's a friend. I've had him around. I was sick when he went through that problem. I've spoken to him since. He's anxious to try to get back in the league, so we'll see what happens."
Roberts' problem was that he tested positive for what the NBA called an amphetamine-based drug. Several months after his 1999 banishment, Roberts was arrested in Orlando following an argument with the mother of one of his children; charges later were dropped. A few months later, Roberts was arrested in Houston for cocaine possession, and he plea-bargained to five years probation.
He has taken, and passed, a weekly drug test for the last year, while working out at a Houston gym frequented during the off-season by NBA players.
Since his season playing with Shaquille O'Neal at Louisiana State, Roberts has been considered a letdown. A lot of talent, not enough initiative. Roberts had several injuries, plus a penchant for the extracurricular activities that have doomed other professional careers.
But Roberts, who was featured in the Dec. 23, 2002, Sports Illustrated and declined an interview request yesterday, has changed, his Memphis-based agent Brian Parker said yesterday.
"He's grateful for the opportunity, because he realizes not a lot of people get a second chance in life after going through what he went through, and his chance is an opportunity to play in the NBA," Parker said. "He knows he's fortunate to be at this point after having gone through so much. He's really focused in on working hard and proving that he has matured and he has learned from his mistakes. Obviously, it's better to learn those things later in life than to never have learned them at all."
With a lingering injury to Todd MacCulloch and no true center to back him up, the Sixers could use another big man. They must pay newly acquired guard Kenny Satterfield for the remainder of this season, although it is conceivable they could waive Satterfield to create a spot for Roberts.
Brown has a history of trying to help players with problems, and of giving people second chances. Parker, the agent, said he has heard from several teams about possibly having Roberts in for a workout, although as of yesterday afternoon, the Sixers were not one of them.
"He's a good guy," Brown said. "He made a mistake. A lot of guys in this league have made mistakes... . I know his strengths, and I know his weaknesses, and I don't think he'd ever do anything to hurt anybody. He sometimes hurts himself.
"Coach Brown is like a father figure to him, and it would be good," Parker said. "... There's no question that Stanley not only loves Larry Brown, but respects him and will listen to everything he has to say to him. Not that he needs a baby-sitter, but he'll listen to him."
Yesterday, one wait ended. Roberts now endures another.
..and Im so starved for a legit center that I may be reaching. Frank, please just give BIG Jake consistant minutes!
