Raptors Ex-Files: Where have you gone, Patrick Patterson?

Patterson

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Patrick Patterson. (John Raoux/CP)

You likely noticed a familiar face during the Toronto Raptors dramatic 114-109 win over the 76ers in Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Amir Johnson, undisputed fan favourite during his six seasons as a member of the Raptors, had a solid night for his newest team, scoring 12 points (tying his second-highest scoring output this season) in just over 20 minutes of action.

Johnson started 284 games in a Raps uniform, but has seen his role reduced as a member of the Boston Celtics last season, and with Philly this year. His minutes are erratic, and the Sixers recent trade for power forward Trevor Booker means they’ll likely stay that way. In his last five games, Johnson is averaging 3.6 boards and 4.6 points on 52 per cent shooting in 14 minutes per game, numbers that probably won’t change all that much for the duration of the season.

But how about some other recent Raptors currently employed by other teams? Let’s take a look at how they’re faring this season in the latest Ex-Files.

Cory Joseph, Indiana Pacers

Last five games: 26 minutes, 7.4 points, and two assists per game, 33 per cent from deep.

Much like during his time in Toronto, Joseph’s stats may not stand out all that much but he finds a way to make a positive impact more often than not when he’s on the court. Like with the Raptors, the 26 year-old point guard continues to fill a bench role for Indiana.

One noticeable difference for Joseph this season has been his free throw shooting. He entered the 2017-18 campaign with a career free throw percentage of 77, and while he doesn’t really get to the line a ton, he’s converting at an eye-popping rate of 91.4 per cent so far, sinking 32 of his 35 freebies.

Earlier this week he had his second-highest scoring game of the season, dropping 15 points while also adding six rebounds and three dimes in a blowout win over Brooklyn.

The Pacers are on, well, pace, to make the playoffs this season, and while a big part of that is due to breakout performances from other newcomers Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, a lot of it is due to Indiana’s veteran depth as well, personified by the likes of Joseph.


DeMarre Carroll, Brooklyn Nets

Last five: 27 minutes, 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 1.8 three-pointers per game.

In the last edition of the Ex-Files, Carroll was adjusting quite nicely to his new home in Brooklyn, averaging just shy of 15 points per game as a starter for the Nets.

He’s cooled off since, albeit just barely. Starting all 27 games he’s appeared in, Carroll is averaging a career-high 12.9 points per game. His shooting numbers aren’t that far off from where they were during his two seasons in Toronto— 40 per cent from the floor and 36 per cent from deep— but he’s thriving with consistent minutes.

His 29 minutes per game is tops among all Nets players this season.

The 31-year-old forward sat out his first return to Toronto last week, a 33-point Nets loss to the Raptors, but looked good in close game versus Sacramento on Wednesday, dropping 15 points, grabbing seven boards, and sinking two three-pointers.

Patrick Patterson, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last five: 18 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers (44 per cent) per game.

The Thunder are turning it around of late, winners of four of their last five, but on the whole their season has gotten off to a rocky start, to say the least.

Among the laundry list of issues plaguing the Thunder this season, one that is often overshadowed has been the dissapearing act from Patterson. Lauded as one of the shrewdest pick-ups in the off-season, Patterson fled the Raptors last summer to sign a three-year, $16 million deal with OKC. This was before both the Paul George and Carmelo Anthony trades were made, when the valuable role player looked like he’d be taking on a meaningful, perhaps starting job with the Thunder.

Instead, his numbers are down across the board, especially his minutes, which have fallen from over 24 per game off the bench in Toronto to just 14 so far this season. He’s only topped the 20-minute mark in four games this season, all but one of them blowouts. Patterson’s usage rate has quietly been dropping in each of the last six seasons, going from 18 per cent in his first season with the Raptors down to 11.4 per cent this year. Naturally, his scoring has taken a hit as a result.

At this point last season, Patterson already had ten double-digit scoring games under his belt. This season? Just one, a 12-point “explosion” in a 15-point Thunder loss to the New York Knicks.

It hasn’t all been bad for Patterson. His three-point stroke is returning to form, and he’s seen some crunch-time minutes as of late, helping to seal a triple-overtime win with this last-second block last week against the 76ers:

Still, on the whole, given the expectations when he first signed with his new club, it’s safe to say his disappearing act has been one of the biggest disappointments of the young NBA season.

Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic

Last five: N/A

Ross started 20 games earlier this season, playing nearly 27 minutes per game and, despite his inconsistent offense, helping Orlando get off to arguably the most surprising start of any team in the league. Entering the season as a team projected to be in the running for a top draft pick in next year’s lottery, the Magic won six of their first eight games, but have cooled off since.

They’re now 11-21, although Ross, who was acquired from Toronto in exchange for Serge Ibaka prior to the 2017 trade deadline, hasn’t appeared in their last nine games.

Ross was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee at the end of November, and is out “indefinitely” as he heals. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

Jared Sullinger, Shenzhen Leopards (China)

Sullinger’s Toronto tenure barely registered, an 11-game stint between January and February of this year that resulted in the former first-rounder and collegiate superstar being released from the Raptors.

After being unable to find a home in the NBA in the off-season, Sullinger signed a deal with Shenzhen of China’s CBA league, where former NBA washouts like Jimmer Fredette, Marshon Brooks, and Russ Smith are thriving.

So too is Sullinger, who leads the league in rebounds at 17.2, to go along with 31 points in 40 minutes per game. So there’s that.

P.J. Tucker, Houston Rockets

Last five: 30.5 minutes, 6.8 points, 7.4 rebounds per game

Tucker brought an edge to the Raptors when he was acquired at the trade deadline, along with a coveted three-and-D prescence in Toronto’s lineup. His departure was a shame, but mitigated now that the likes of rookie OG Anunoby is surpassing all expectations so far during his first year.

But things have worked out just fine for Tucker as well. He’s only started four of his 30 games for Houston this season, but his minutes are up slightly from last year at 27.6 per game while shooting a career-high 3.5 three-point attempts— hardly a surprise on a Rockets team that takes more three-pointers each game than any other type of shot. Tucker has posted a double-double twice in the past week.

As a valued piece on the NBA’s winningest team, it’s safe to say Tucker is content in his new surroundings.

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