PORTLAND — Brian Roberts is suffering from a strong case of deja vu.
The newest Trail Blazers was introduced to the media moments before they took on the 48-4 Golden State Warriors on Friday night at the Moda Center.
The reason Roberts feels like he’s done all of this so recently is because he has.
Not 48 hours before he became a Blazer, Roberts was traded from Charlotte to Miami, finding out the news in his son’s bedroom while playing with him and one of his daughters.
“Then we got to Miami, I actually practiced with them and answered questions like this right here,” Roberts said. “We were getting ready for the plane and going to Atlanta for the game tonight. And then I get a call from my agent like: ‘you might not want to get on the plane just yet.’ ”
When asked to put into words the feeling of being traded twice in less than a week, Roberts was at a loss. Or perhaps, just the opposite.
“There’s really nothing you can say it’s just one of those things that if you write a book it’s just one of those things that you add to the book. It’s been tough to come from the Southeast all the way to the Northwest in 24 hours. It’s been a big change for me but mentally I’m prepared.”
Roberts, trying to take things in stride, even made a nice joke about the weather.
“I tried to bring some sunshine back, but I don’t know if it worked,” Roberts said.
It’s been such a whirlwind for Roberts that he hasn’t had time to look at the playbook, even though he will be on the active roster Friday night.
“Not even 6 hours just 25 minutes,” Roberts said. “Looking at the iPad getting a feel for what the play calls are. It’s a lot to take in right now, but I’ll get there.”
Roberts played with Al-Farouq Aminu in New Orleans and also spent time with Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh in Charlotte, which he hopes will ease his transition.
Head coach Terry Stotts told reporters that Roberts will fill the role previously held by Tim Frazier.
Translation: don’t expect Roberts to play much unless it’s an emergency or if a match-up necessitates it.
