As far as free throws are concerned, Patrick's first two years at Kentucky were respectable, getting to the line for about 5 free throw attempts a game. When they moved him out to the SF in his third and final year, his free throw attempts dipped to around 3 a game. When he went to the Dleague for 9 games, he was averaging 6.2 FTA a game, which is more than solid. Now, he is at one of the most RIDICULOUSLY low rates I have ever seen. He is averaging 1.5 attempts from the line PER GAME, PER 36 MINUTES, for his career, in almost 2000 total minutes played. That is scary awful, and extremely perplexing, as he has never shown that kind of hesitancy in all his years of basketball prior to playing in the NBA. Have the injuries scared him into a soft jump shooter? Who wants a POWER forward that can't rebound or finish strong? I am fan #1 on the Pat wagon, but his play is really making me nervous. Can a switch be flipped? His rebounding numbers have SIGNIFICANTLY decreased as well... He is not the same aggressive player that he was as a Sophomore in college.
what bothers me is it seems he cant dunk, he just make layups, even when he's alone at the rim ... maybe his knee still bothering him ...
Yup, and it seems like going up for dunks instead of trying to flip in floaters and layups would lead to a few more fouls. It is bizarre considering how much Morey values FTA when he scouts his players...
We are talking all season though. It hasn't been just a one game thing. (I really liked how he played against the Clippers a few nights ago. Went right at Blake Griffin...)
Patterson seem to have the Battier Syndrome of trying too hard to just play within a supporting role. When he was drafted, I thought he was perfect because he knew how to play as a role player(3rd year at UK) as well as a top dog(1st and 2nd years at UK). But it seemed that there could've been some sort of regression in his mental game after Wall and Cousins got to Kentucky. The fact that the Rockets want to bring him slowly doesn't seem to help in this regards. That said, I will give him another year. Brooks and Lowry both seemed to have blossomed in their 3rd years here, so time can help. But Patterson does need to be more aggressive.
That summed it up perfectly. I hope Patterson uses his quickness for some sneaky rim attacks ala Chuck Hayes last year...
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uWxmr8ojaBQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Where did this go?
I think he's hurt. Doesn't seem to have his legs. Hope he can get whatever's wrong fixed and come back strong next year. Maybe he can learn all of Scola's moves AND regain his athleticism... Well, here's hoping that happens.
The good thing is that Patterson's FTA/FGA ratio has been improving over the course of the season. Still below what is average for power forwards, however.
From the post fakes and spins he's been doing this season It looks like he's been working with Scola. Someone needs to remind him that Scola relies on "Craftiness" not athleticism wich Pat has plenty of.
I was thinking the same thing. McHale needs to work with him and show him some toughness in the paint also.
