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5 reason’s why OKC Thunder RPM projections fall short

By Lawrence George

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Head Coach Billy Donovan of the the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Head Coach Billy Donovan of the the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder forward Patrick Patterson
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Patrick Patterson #54 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on prior to Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Patterson’s Defined role

2-Pat arrived in OKC expecting to be a starter. However, the acquisition of Anthony late in free agency changed his entire season before it began. Melo’s arrival, a nagging knee injury and Billy Donovan’s awful (trying to be nice) rotation scheme contributed to Pat’s down season. He played a career low 15.5 minutes per game last season and was never provided clarity on his role.

Statistically, 2-Pat produced a negative -2.2 net rating and played majority of his minutes out of position at center. While he is a legit 6’9, 230 lbs, Pat simply isn’t big enough to guard genuine centers. Big guys like Joel Embiid and Boban Marjanovic dominated him on the low block, making Pat look worse than he actually is.

These type of effort plays are what Oklahoma City will expect of him this coming season.

The other plus is 2-Pat fits the system better than Anthony does. He doesn’t pout if he doesn’t see the ball, Pat will defend, he understands his shooting spots and will give the ball up if there’s no shot and shoots 39 percent on corner three’s (29-74) . Melo took 56 corner three’s last season and only converted on 32 percent of them. The Thunder stand to improve their offensive efficiency with Patterson on court.

Pelton’s projected positive +0.5 RPM seems a little low since Patterson produced an average net rating of positive +9.2 prior to last season. He is a system player and is willing to do the dirty work alongside Adams and Andre Roberson. Thunder fans should expect Pat to return to his old form and OKC will be improved on both sides of the ball.

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