Which Raptor would survive a zombie apocalypse? Who has the most impressive autograph collection? Did Luis Scola get emotional at the end of Fast & Furious 7? (Hint: hell yes). Why is Terrence Ross singing Alice Cooper? Every day until the season starts, a new player steps in front of the lens and answers the tough questions so you can get to know your Toronto Raptors. Up next, Patrick Patterson is feeling chatty.
|Know Your Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas|Terrence Ross| DeMar DeRozan| Norm Powell| Patrick Patterson| Anthony Bennett|
Patrick Patterson had found his niche in the NBA, a role that seemed to suit him well, coming off the bench for the Raptors and using his three-point shot and mobility to create matchup problems for the opposition. Patterson was a solid reserve for Toronto last season, arguably their most consistent, and seemed to thrive on his ability to change the feel of the game once he entered. His defensive quickness earned him closing time minutes over starting centre Jonas Valanciunas. So entering this season it seemed a no-brainer that Patterson would be able to continue to affect the game for the better, albeit this time as a starter.
The departure of Amir Johnson to Boston left the door open for Patterson to take over the starting power forward gig, with no real competition in sight. One pre-season later? Well, let’s just say things have changed. The job is still Patterson’s, but after straying from what earned him career-best playing time last season (it took four games before he attempted a three-pointer), his grip on the role is seemingly loosening each day. But it’s the pre-season. It’s not exactly always the best indicator of how a team or player will perform in the regular season. So Patterson will have every opportunity to put the weak exhibition stretch behind him and put together a strong campaign. This is the best opportunity Patterson has gotten in his career—to start on a potential playoff contender—but it remains to be seen if he’ll make the most of it.
2014-15 stats: 81 games played (four starts), 26.6 mpg/8.0 ppg/5.3 rpg/1.9 apg/44.9% shooting (37% 3PT)
|Know Your Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas|Terrence Ross| DeMar DeRozan| Norm Powell| Patrick Patterson| Anthony Bennett|