OKC Thunder forward Patrick Patterson is finding his shot and it can’t come soon enough
After months of scrutiny, OKC Thunder veteran Patrick Patterson is starting to rediscover his shot. For a 3-point starved Thunder squad, this is a tremendous sign moving forward.
For all the negative comments, disrespect and criticism Patrick Patterson has received this season, the veteran appears to be trending in the right direction. Originally acquired to be a three and D specialist at the power forward position, PPat’s inconsistency shooting the rock has been an issue all season.
However, the 29-year-old is beginning to find the range from downtown.
After shooting 38.2 percent from distance in October, Pat struggled mightily in November and December converting on a horrible 28.8 percent of his attempts from deep. While he entered the season the healthiest he’s been since the 2016-17 season, Patterson lacked confidence in his shot clanging everything he threw up at the rim. It got so bad even Russell Westbrook began to look away from the big man.
Pat needed to find some confidence but from where?
A trip to Dallas did the trick
In the 105-103 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Patterson played his best game in some time scoring 10 points on 4-5 shooting and 2-3 from three. The most impressive aspect of his game was 29-year-old took it upon himself to find his offense. After missing his first shot from three, Pat went inside and played bully ball on the block finishing a lay-up over forward Dorian Finney-Smith.
From that moment on, Pat was rolling.
New Year, New Pat
Since the turn of the new year, the big man is shooting 45.8 percent from the field and a scintillating 43.8 percent from deep on 2.7 attempts. Patterson has been particularly hot in his last five games, shooting 50 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from three.
In his most recent performance, Pat reached doubles figures for just the fifth time in 42 appearances. He posted 13 points on 5-7 shooting and 3-3 from deep contributing to a season-high 48-point performance by OKC’s bench.
Believe it or not, Pat has always played this way
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Since his rookie season, Patterson has a weird habit of shooting poorly before the All-Star break then shooting exceptionally well following it. In eight seasons as a professional, PPat’s shoots 35.9 percent from three pre-AS break then ramps up to 39.1 percent post-AS break.
Last year for OKC, Patterson shot a scorching 43.8 percent following the break.
If this trend holds true, Oklahoma City will receive a huge boost on its perimeter. With all the ups and downs Pat has been through, he will give you his all when it matters.
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It’s been his MO since he arrived into the league.