OKC Thunder: One year later, Patrick Patterson is ready to claim x-factor role
One year removed from a disappointing debut year with the OKC Thunder, Patrick Patterson is set for a resurgent year. A statistical darling prior to last season, 2-Pat will remind NBA fans just how good he really is.
The OKC Thunder – Patrick Patterson partnership didn’t go as planned last season. Not only was he recovering from a knee procedure upon his arrival to the mid-west but the Thunder also traded for Carmelo Anthony.
We all know how that ended.
Presumably promised a starting role after accepting a bargain three year, $16.4 million-dollar deal, Patterson experienced career lows in minutes (15.5), points per game (3.9), field goal percentage (39.8) and rebounds (2.4). All season long the veteran was a step slow, often seen stuck in mud on defense and struggling to create separation to shoot on offense. Health, lack of playing time and Donovan’s desire to stroke the ego’s of OKC’s stars contributed to Patterson’s down year.
One positive from last season was Pats stroke from three. He matched his career high from distance, shooting 38.6 percent on a respectable 2.1 attempts. 2-Pat was the Thunder’s second biggest 3-point threat behind Paul George (40.1) and shot slightly better than Spaniard Alex Abrines (38 percent).
With the departure of Melo to the Houston Rockets, Patterson stands to be the biggest beneficiary and take his rightful place in the starting line-up. The ideal piece in Donovan’s system, Oklahoma City need Pat to deliver.
Lets take a closer look.