Stale offense and internal conflict cited by former OKC Thunder players
Patrick Patterson:
Patrick Patterson also is throwing some passive-aggressive shade at the entire OKC Thunder organization.
At 7:40 of the video, Patrick Patterson is asked “what happened” with the OKC Thunder and why they failed. His response seemingly points to internal conflicts which up until now we’ve never been privy to. Sure, teams and players don’t tend to blow things up when they’re still with those squads. For the most part, Patterson has always been a professional and taken the high road although I do recall him throwing some shade at the Raptors two summers ago. At the time it was a bit odd because Patterson was beloved in the 6ix and his comments only served to take some of that popularity away.
His comments about the Thunder weren’t quite as targeted. They do, however, definitely expose the team in a way the franchise hasn’t typically been put in other than by Kevin Durant.
Patterson alludes to internal strife :
"“I won’t get too into details with that but just a combination of things from players, coaches, owners, just whole entire team it was just one big effort as far as us failing, as far as the season not going the way we wanted it to.”"
Thunder offensive issues:
At 9:00 minutes Pat is asked about his role and shooting and specifically his comments from last year stating he had to get passing out of his mind because he passed up on too many good looks. Then he’s asked if he feels he’s still too passive with the ball (ouch) or if he feels he’s become more of an aggressive scorer. Although there is no direct shot at the Thunder, the implication is he was put in a position (role) where he had to pass the ball and not take those shooting opportunities.
"“Oh yeah, since we’ve been back here beginning of this month and we started playing pick up the first thing Pat Bev said to me is ‘yo Pat shoot the ball’. Cause a couple pickups and a couple games that we’ve been running up in here you know just trying to get out of that mindset of overpassing the ball, you know passing up opportunities, chances to shoot. — I’m gradually getting back to it you know as we go through training camp you know to get shooting on my mind rather than trying to make the next playing pass.”"
As for Patterson, how much of what the big man says should be directed at the Thunder versus his own mirror reflection? Upon his arrival, I thought his presence would fill copious needs for the club. While with the Raptors PPat offered perimeter scoring and solid team defense often playing with the clutch time unit.
When OKC signed him in free agency the hope was he could start. That never happened as a knee procedure and the addition of Carmelo Anthony removed that possibility in his first year. This past season, the growth of Grant equated to his insertion as a starter and again Patterson was relegated to the reserve unit.
Still, the production of Patterson never equaled his output in Toronto. Was this all Billy Donovan’s fault? Regardless of the lackluster offense, Patterson played primarily with the reserves so there were ample shot opportunities for him. Yet, the power forward regressed despite taking slightly more perimeter shots.
This may all come down to ball movement and being in rhythm, but Patterson might’ve wanted to wait until the end of this campaign before saying anything. To wit, if he has another season of sub-par production critics will be pointing directly at him and not the Clippers.
As for his shots about the troubles in OKC, it’s definitely out of character for Patterson. As a veteran, teams want someone who displays class and exercises good judgment. If a GM believes Pat can’t be trusted to take the high road he’s value diminishes along with his ever diminishing years in the league.