A lot of players have high ceilings--even superstar ability. I believe what creates the separation is confidence and the thirst to be great.
D.Howard with Chase and P-Pat in the frontcourt is gonna be something to reckon with in 2012...Book IT!!!!!
I would say they are even. The only reason is Carl was by far the superior player offensively. He was unstoppable in 4th quarters as a Rocket with the ability to attack the rim off the dribble.
Given Big Pat is a Rookie - I say he has Star to All Star talent. His Offensive and Defensive game is nice and most of all he seems mentality aware on the court. Big Pat seems to know how to play the game. All he needs to do is continue to improve and get a feel for - " How to make the right plays when it is time to WIN the game."
It has nothing to do with his play. Carl was just tighter. He wanted to embarass the guy he was up against. He played with chipped tooths. He got shot like a gangster. Patterson is good but will never be super tite like Carl. Super titeitude..
Like his numbers his last year in Sac Town: OTIS Thorpe - Last year with Sac Kings - 20 pt/gm 3 asst/gm 10 rb/gm With more Blocks. Rocket River
I was relatively young when we had OT, but I don't remember him being able to consistently hit the mid-range jumper that Patterson has shown. From what I remember, OT was deadly at the jump hook from close inside. Of course, I could just be misremembering.
You didn't misremember. This is the reason why I don't think comparing him to OT is correct. Thorpe made his living close to th basket. His offensive output mainly consisted of put backs and interior dumps. And he was much more rugged than Patterson as a rebounder and defender. I hope Patterson will one day has Thorpe's ruggedness AND has that jump shot which Thorpe didn't have.
If we can get DHoward without losing Pat . . . . Then we would need a nice Young Horry!! Rocket River Lowry is already our Cassell Lee maybe our Madd Max!! WE GETTING THE BAND BACK TO GETHER!!
OT certainly didn't have the range that Pat does, and his defense was solid (although he never accrued much in the way of steals or blocks), but OT's offense wasn't just trash points and putbacks... he had a little face up game before he took a backseat to Hakeem in that regard. In terms of hustle, build, and the role they play though, they are remarkably similar.
More than any of us can imagine right now. He has beast like talents and he is very smart. And think of this, he is going to improve. I am amazed at how he impacts the games. This guy blows me away. When I saw C-Bud in the Summer Leagues I was shocked at his presence on the court. I expected great things. After a year and a half of disappointment he is finally getting it though confidence is still an issue. Patterson is way ahead.
Its up to him how far he develops and how much he starts to want the ball to call for it to score. He has all the tools for any of the scenarios. He can shoot, is athletic, can rebound, is quick, jumps quick, has range, speed at his position, defense, all he lacks is a desire to be the best player on the floor and willingness to take over the game. Maybe some post up moves?
