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Raptors Report Cards: Patrick Patterson

By Kevin Nimmock

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With the Toronto Raptors’ 2014/15 season finishing sooner than predicted, it is time to start looking back at the team’s players, head coach and general manager. We at Raptors Rapture present our 2014/15 report cards. Stay tuned throughout the next two weeks as we analyze each piece of the current team.

Patrick Patterson was part of the group that came to the Raptors last season and helped catalyze the start of something truly special. With Patterson in the folds, the team has had its two best regular seasons ever. He is a high quality contributor off the bench with the ability to do a lot of positive things for the Raps. Though Patterson has some key gaps in his game that limit him from being an elite player, he was able to put together another solid season in Canada.

Patterson averaged 8 points and 5.3 rebounds on 45% shooting from the field. He shot 37% from long distance during his career-high 26.6 minutes per game off the bench. For the second year in a row, Patterson basically shared power forward duties with Amir Johnson. Both players were on the court for about the same amount of minutes per game, even though Johnson was a starter. That fact shows how important Patterson has become to head coach Dwane Casey’s game plan.

Patterson is a modern stretch four with pretty good athleticism and speed. He can spot up for 3-pointer or score off the drive. He is not incredible at creating his own shot, but that is not hugely problematic, since he plays with a point guard in Kyle Lowry who needs to have the ball in his hands the majority of the time.

Patterson’s most positive attribute is probably his basketball I.Q. He undrstands how to position himself offensively and defensively, as well as what shots he should and should not be taking. The big detractors for Patterson is his lack of aggression down low and his inability to rebound effectively. Patterson has no post game and is not very tough in the paint.

On defence, he is quick enough to stay with opposing players, but often gets out-muscled inside. He has never been good on the glass, and this season was no different. Together with Johnson, they were a big reason why the Raptors were such a bad rebounding team all year. It is hard to have a power forward logging big minutes who can’t do one of the main parts of his job description. It often feels as though Patterson could be better on the boards if he tried just a little bit harder.

Overall, Patterson had a fairly characteristic season. He was used a little bit more and he stepped up fairly well. He is still only 26, but it looks as though the weak spots in his game might be beyond repair. With that in mind, he delivered on his promises, providing quality minutes as a long-bomb threat and an agile defender with great positioning.

Defence: B

Offence: B

Overall: B

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