by Jonathan North
What do you know about the Rio Grande Valley Vipers? No you aren’ t on the wrong blog, I promise this is relevant just give me a second. The Vipers just so happen to be an NBA Developmental League team. Where do they play? The lovely State Farm Arena in wonderful Hidalgo Texas. Hidalgo is just as exciting as it sounds and is home to several other sporting teams such as football and hockey. It now also home to someone that Wildcat fans are very familiar with, Patrick Patterson.
You may remember Patrick Patterson from playing for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, and yes he was the most loved Wildcat since Chuck Hayes. You may recall Patterson being taken by the Houston Rockets in the 1st round of the 2010 NBA Draft as the 14th pick and the Rockets obviously had plans for Patterson, but because of the teams depth in the front court and his non-productive preseason, (4.3 points, 3.8 rebounds in 15.2 minutes in six games for the Rockets) Patterson found himself with a new home in Hidalgo, Texas and he will suit up with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. I told you it was relevant.
Many are optimistic that Patterson’s stay in Hidalgo is just temporary and he may return after a very injury prone Yao Ming went down just a couple of days ago, but Patterson is still behind some very great players on the depth chart, number one being former Wildcat Chuck Hayes. Hayes is listed as a center, but with his versatility he can play the power forward. That leaves Patterson around fourth on the depth chart, behind Luis Scola who is averaging a double- double this season. Jared Jefferies who puts up three points and three rebounds a game, but has great size at 6’11 (Patterson is only 6’9).
What it boils down to is Patterson will have to learn how to rebound on an NBA level. It is not out of the question that Patterson could outplay the likes of Jefferies to get back on the Rockets roster, don’t look for it to happen this year unless some major injuries occur. Quite frankly there is just no where for Patterson to play. Vipers general manager Gersson Rosas is also Vice President of Player Personnel for the Rockets, so he will be able to keep a close eye on Patterson’s development. Rojas had this to say:
"Considering the front court depth we have in Houston, we felt that, at this point in time, it was in the team’s best interest to assign Patrick Patterson to the Vipers. We strongly value development through play and the upcoming stretch presented a timely opportunity for Patrick to join Vipers training camp, with the objective for him to play a primary role in the team’s games, practices and individual development processes."
Bottom line: It will benefit Patterson more from being in the d-league for the Vipers than being on the Rockets roster at this point and time, simply because there is no way he would get any reps with the Rockets depth chart like it is at this time. His only hope is he out plays Jefferies, but it isn’t happening as Jefferies not only has size, but has been in the league for eight years.t happening as Jefferies not only has size, but has been in the league for eight years.
Despite being taken in the first round and being sent to the D-League, Patterson is taking it all in stride and with a good attitude, and we could expect nothing less from the power forward from West Virginia who impressed Kentucky fans time and time again with his team first attitude. His move to the Vipers is no different. Patterson was quoted as saying:
Chris Finch is the head coach for the Vipers and is excited about having Patterson join the squad. Finch said “We’ve been really lucky with assignment guys from Houston, who come down with the right approach and right attitude”
The right attitude is something that is to be expected from Patterson, who was a junior on last years star studded Kentucky team which featured the likes of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. Patterson opted to be a role-player on the team despite his All America type talents. Patterson has the same attitude about playing for the Vipers. Patterson said “”I just want to focus on my time down here and do what I need to do to improve as a player, Also, I want to do what I need to do to help this team—us—win” Patterson has not been blinded by the bright lights of the NBA. Coach Finch has taken notice:
"He’s a smart kid. He wants to play. He wants to get better. A lot of times, guys get caught up in being in the NBA, flying around and playing in the arena, but actually they are sitting and not getting much reps. He’s been first class all the way"
Patterson’s first game with the Vipers did not go as planned though. After averaging 13.0 points per game in the pre season for the defending champion D-league champions. He got in foul trouble early with four in the second quarter and never really got in the flow of the game and by the end of the third quarter he had five fouls and only took three shots. Patrick finished with 7 points and 7 boards before fouling out. I’m sure it’s not the debut Patterson hoped for, but look for Patterson to get comfortable though and start putting up some big numbers for the Vipers.
"Jon North is a new member to the staff at the Wildcat Blue Nation and he hails from southeastern Kentucky. Leslie County to be exact. He currently attends Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky where he majors in Mass Communications. You can follow him on Twitter at UkFanJonNorth or email him at jonathan.north@unuonky.edu"
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