Patrick Patterson has been a hard working player no matter where he’s been, may that be in Huntington or Lexington. Now Patterson is a Houston Rocket and he’s ready to work hard there as well. The rookie, who will play power forward this season, has grown as a player throughout the past three years and has tons of potential and room to improve with the Rockets. And now, considering that he has experienced players such as Shane Battier and Chuck Hayes around him to help him improve his game, the former Wildcat is looking to make an impact as a role player this season.
Patterson has been hard at work in the weight room this offseason to prepare himself for training camp. He said since his schedule is up to him now that he is not in college, he spends more team conditioning on his own.
"The amount of time I have to myself outside the gym, whether it’s after a workout or weightlifting. Let’s say we workout for four hours – then you’ve still got the rest of the day to yourself. You of course have the option of coming back to the gym or working out more or getting up a bunch of extra shots, but you still have so much free time to yourself."
So far, Patterson is predicted on various depth charts to play power forward second to Luis Scola, who averaged 32 minutes a game and 16 ppg last season. The Rockets have a young team this season; Patterson is one of eight players under the age of 25. He plans on working with Scola, who is 30 but has been in the league for four years and continues to improve. He also looks to work with Shane Battier and Chuck Hayes, who has drawn comparisons with Patterson. Both are humble, hard working players who both played at Kentucky.
"When I first got here, I knew that Chuck was someone I wanted to be my mentor, someone I wanted to look up to and look forward to as someone to get advice from. When I got here I talked to him right away just because he went to Kentucky and we have that history together. He plays basically the same position I do, he’s been in the league for quite some time, and he’s been through the highs and lows. He’s been through the hardships and he’s put a lot of hard work in, so he knows what it takes to stay at this level, and he’s someone I definitely look up to and someone I definitely look to for help. Same with Shane Battier when he gets here – he’s the same way. He’s been through a lot and put so much work in in order to stay where he’s at right now, so he’s someone I’m going to look up to as well. That’s one of the things I love about this team: we have people with experience under their belt, and so many great guys who are willing to help."
One thing Patterson seems to understand is his role with the team. Although he has his goals set high, like any player should, he understands what his personal expectations should be. He feels accepted on the team, but wants to help in anyway he can, which is what he does best.
"This season I want to make it to the Rookie-Sophomore Game. I want to make it to the playoffs and make it to the championship. For myself, at some point I want to start a game. Whether it’s just one game or more, I do want to start at some point. But that’s only going to come with hard work and just proving to the coaches that I’m ready to play and that they can rely on me."
At UK, Patterson contributed in every way possible and expanded and improved upon certain aspects of his game, such as: rebounding, outside shooting, and defense. He has been working with Hayes on defense. Even though his size is decieveing, Hayes has been able to give Patterson some pointers on how to play post defense in the NBA, which is something both players are great at playing. Unlike Wall and Cousins, Patterson has not been given much attention as an impact player, but he can make his team successful in the same way they can, just as he always has.
"I know we have so much talent on this team. We have so many great players on this team. My role, what I want to be is a team player. I want to play, but if I don’t play, then it’s what’s best for the team.I want what’s best for the team in order for us to get to that ultimate goal which is a championship. So I just want to be a team player, do whatever is necessary and asked of me. I’m working on my overall offensive game and my defense, I’m working on my face-up game from the floor, and I’m just leaning on other teammates for advice to help me get better. I want to be someone who contributes and does what’s asked of him, and just play hard every time I’m on the court."
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