OKC Thunder assignee Justin Patton is demonstrating consistent growth with better in game choices helping to foster that improvement.
OKC Thunder center Justin Patton has spent most of the season with the OKC Blue. He started the season slowly, constantly fouling out of games when he was needed. Now, Patton is showing a little more maturity, and he needs to with the multitude of injuries that the OKC Blue have suffered.
He has lost his frontcourt partners Kevin Hervey and Myke Henry for periods of time. Then the OKC Thunder called Luguentz Dort up to the varsity squad. This has taken the majority of the punch out of the starting unit.
On the season, Patton is averaging 10.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.8 assists per game. This is not bad, but for a center assigned from the varsity squad, he should be averaging a heap more.
Justin Patton (14 points) Highlights vs. Salt Lake City Stars https://t.co/nLH7dXBFCm via @YouTube
— Mervsports (@mervsports78) December 15, 2019
In the past five games, the OKC Blue have played with eight players, once they had nine. As a sign of his growth, Patton has not fouled out of any of them. He had five in two of the games but he knew the team needed him to stay on the court.
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He is also still altering and blocking shots with more efficiency without fouling. He is up to 3.8 blocks per game in the last five contests which have helped keep the Blue in contests that they should have been blown out of.
Patton has had two 17 point games and registered only one game where he shot the ball under 50 percent. These numbers are showing good efficiency, particularly as he is shooting the 3-ball at just under two attempts per game.
While Patton has not shown enough to be recalled to the varsity squad any time soon, he is certainly showing that the project is starting to pay off.
If the Blue ever get their team back, he will continue to show his worth as they climb back up the standings.
The hope is Patton will continue to grow and become a player the Thunder would utilize on a regular basis with the varsity squad – if not this season, then next.