OKC Thunder: The shot block mastery of Justin Patton
The OKC Thunder assigned Justin Patton to the OKC Blue with hopes of expediting his growth. He’s making a mark, particularly via shot-blocking at a historical rate.
After signing on with the OKC Thunder at the start of the season, he has played every game with the OKC Blue. Justin Patton is a defensive-minded center who has a good outside stroke. However, Patton is being utilized as a more traditional center.
Patton is averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game. He is also averaging 3.7 fouls per game, having fouled out of multiple games this season. In fact, he is second in the G-League for total fouls committed with 63.
However, it is Patton’s blocks which are historic for the OKC Blue. He has blocked 51 shots on the season which is second behind Kenny Wooten of the Westchester Knicks who has 57. This is good for 3.0 blocks per game which are third on the season behind Wooten (3.6) and Delaware Blue Coats Christ Koumadje (3.6)
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It is this number that is historically significant to the OKC Blue. Patton is currently sitting second on the all-time list for the OKC Blue. He is behind only Herbert Hill who in his five games blocked 3.4 shots per game.
On top of this, Patton is fourth active with 1.9 blocks per game. He is behind only Norvel Pelle with 2.25, Drew Eubanks with 2.28 and Hasheem Thabeet with 2.42. He is top 50 all-time in the G-League with this number and appears to be on the rise.
However, this is not the end of Patton’s incredible numbers. This season Patton has a block percent rate of 8.5 which has him in first place in the G-League. He is second active for block percentage at 6.4. This number has him sitting 17th all-time in the history of the G-League.
The OKC Thunder assigned Patton to the OKC Blue in an effort to get him more playing time and development within the system.
Next. Patton improved game I.Q accelerating his growth. dark
Considering the systems the Blue run is similar to that of the varsity squad, Patton could be recalled to the Thunder for defensive purposes if it is required.