If the roster remains the same as is now, the 4/5 rotation will probably be like this: Yao (25 min)/ Hill (23 min)/ Hayes and Scola spot duties/ Andersen (end of bench) Scola (32 min)/ Patterson (16 min)/ Hayes spot duties Unless we get a star like Bosh, I think we are set at the front line. They'll watch how Yao's foot holds up. If it doesn't look good, they'll trade for a center. I don't think Hill can play starting 5 full-time, not yet.
That's pretty much the rotation I see as well. The early part of the season, though, is going to be about getting Yao settled in, so I could see Adelman using veterans like Hayes and Jared Jeffries - and maybe even Andersen - more while limiting Patterson's minutes.
That looks pretty likely, assuming Yao's able to play at the beginning the season (I'm trying to be optimistic... I think he'll be there). One would think Hayes would see more minutes early, then hopefully Hill and Patterson make him sit, except for situational minutes. I think Scola's going to be getting 35 minutes a game, by hook or by crook. If another move isn't made in the frontcourt, this is going to be very fun to watch. If a move is made, ditto!
Given Patterson's seeming maturity, I see Adelman giving every chance for Patterson to play major minutes at the beginning of the season for two reasons. 1. It gives him experience for later in the season, if we get hit by injury bugs at any given time. 2. When Yao plays major minutes(~30mpg), which he'll eventually have to do when the stretch run comes to build up stamina, Patterson is likely to only see spot minutes behind Scola and Hill. So you have to develop him while you can. I don't see Yao playing more than token minutes until the all-star break. The Rockets won't make the same mistake again. They'll basically hold Yao out for as long as possible before he's needed for the playoffs.
A player that Patterson compares to physically is last years #1 overall pick Blake Griffin ... Measurements are almost Identical... Blake Griffin (B-Day 3/16/89) Height 6'10 | Wingspan 6'11 | Standing reach 8'9 | Vertical 35.5 | lane agility 10.95 | 3/4 court sprint 3.28 | Max vert reach 11'8.5 Patrick Patterson (B-Day 3/14/89) Height 6'9.2 | Wingspan 7'1.2 | Standing reach 8'11 | Vertical 33.5 | lane agility 11.14 | 3/4 court sprint 3.28 | Max vert reach 11'8.5 --RB
I think Patterson can surprise a lot of people like how Carlos Boozer surprised people when he was in Cleveland. I'm real excited about Patterson.
I'm well known for being an optimist - but I won't let that hold me back here. PP can definitely become an All-star - he has comparable size to many All stars, and his talent level is there - his numbers would likely have continued to increase his third year if all the talent hadn't come in to Kentucky. The most important attribute in becoming a star in the NBA is your work ethic. It can make an NBDL guy an NBA guy (Chuck Hayes), a marginal player a starter, and a good athlete a star. It just takes time, dedication, and good coaching. We know that PP has the dedication - I bet that he will always be a Morey all-star. The only question is will he have the touches and the opportunity at some point to be recognized by the casual fans. I think he'll be a stat-friendly version of Shane Battier - I guess that makes him a more athletic Luis Scola? I think he's a winner, and that's what I want on my team.
What's with the Rick Fox comparison? lmfao And a Karl Malone comparison? Maybe its a good frame comparison when he fills out. But as much as I hate the guy, he still scored 36,000 points with nearly 15,000 rebounds while being the definition of durability. That's a lot to ask for.
I understand you, but I think it really depends on how much Yao can play. If it's token minutes as you say (such as a 10-minute cameo appearance in the middle of the first half?), then Patterson may have to step in right away out of necessity, much like Budinger did early last season. My feeling, though, is that Yao will play a bigger role, and the goal of the Rockets in the first half of the season will be to remain competitive while working Yao back in. Too much emphasis on youth development could put this team in a deep hole early on. The bench is already young and inexperienced, with two second-year players - Budinger and Hill - at its core. It's best to wait to see how Hill does as a backup center before introducing Patterson into the mix. Give Patterson time to figure things out in practice and even the D-league.
He also stayed in because he wanted to GRADUATE from college, which he did in only three years. So he's talented, hard-working AND intelligent. Not a bad combination.
I agree, those are my thoughts as well. Boozer was an All star. I am not sure Patterson will be an All Star, though I am not betting against it. I think Patterson will be a very solid rotational player at the very least.
Why are you guys comparing combine numbers? It's obvious through watching these guys that Patterson isn't nearly as explosive as Amare or Blake Griffin (at least, pre-injury). That doesn't mean he can't be as good as either of them, but there's no need to be dishonest. For comparison, Gordon Hayward has a higher no-step vert than John Wall.
You comparing Bud to Wade sure is a great way to dispel any rumors that Chase isn't athletic. I wasn't comparing their games only the perception that that one is athletically gifted and tall and the other was a short stiff. Wade is a freak anyways, he is 3 inches shorter than Bud yet has a one inch higher standing reach due to a crazy near 7 foot wingspan. Yeah Bud isn't near Wade's level as a player, but if you were arguing that one was athletic and the other wasn't, than the numbers show that at least it would be incorrect to assume Wade was athletic and Bud wasn't. Same thing with Amare and Patterson. My post was "typical" of anyone using actual evidence to disprove unfounded perceptions. Amare may have dominated Gooden (a good indication of how their careers went) but they were the same age. In the NBA, the rule is if you are young, no matter how little you know, we can teach you. If you are old, no matter how little experience you have, you have a lower ceiling. By the way, Griffin was 21 when he dominated a 20 year old Amare in the summer leagues. So character is kind of important, and we know we got a worker in Patterson.
No need to go into details arguing with leebigez. He dislikes Morey and everything about the current Rockets. We could've drafted John Wall at #14 and he'd talk about how Wall sucks.
