He looks lost out there at times. Then again, so does Scola. Especially when we go to our girly zone scheme. But he obviously has the tools to be very good.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lQDyjXhBRX4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Take that ROY!!!
Dont get fooled by one player dunking on someone. That makes your argument worse because the best defenders get dunked on alot, by guarding the guy they play, and contesting the shot. Bad defenders like Scola often are watching after the play is over and the player went around them for the dunk and they wherent in the play at all to defend it because they got left behind or missed their assignment. Now Patterson has the physical tools to also guard everyone. Which Scola does not nor will ever. Patterson has the energy and hustle to play defense to get blocks. Scola is a good at taking charges and getting some fouls on him. That in itself is decent defense. You clearly see how efficient the other teams offense is flowing when Scola is in the game though. Then when Patterson comes in and the other Pf and the offense is struggling a bit more and we are not trading shot for shot anymore. Thats because more defenders with the physical ability to stay in fron of their man and play the the shot because they have the ability to do so are in the game and Patterson is one of those guys along with Courtney Lee. They have better reaction time to the shots and the defenders.
You go for blocks? You get dunked on every once and a while. You never play defense like Scola? They are already by you and dunking on someone else.
Patterson is an above average man defender, but an exceptional team and system defender. I could see him making All NBA Defensive Team eventually. His instincts are very good.
