File this one under knee-jerk. But last night our starting PF, Marcus Morris, grabbed a sad 1 rebound, while PPat grabbed 10. Is Patterson making a case to get his starting job back? Since his return, he does look more motivated to me while Marcus has kind of disappeared. Maybe the pressure of losing his starter spot is getting to him after Patrick made it be known he wants it back. What do you guys think?
He should never have been considered as being anything other than our starting 4 on this roster. I know people get excited about young talent but he is the most developed 4 on the roster. Morris still has a ways to go. This is his first year actually playing with the Rockets. I imagine he will show a ton of improvement throughout the remainder of this season and be alot better next season.
1 rebound is pretty bad, but I would guess having more minutes next to Asik makes rebounds tougher to come by.
I like him off the bench. He's a good presence even if its not a major one when Asik's taking a breather
He plays much harder off the bench,. 18 and 10 per 36 on 59% shooting since his return. He attacks the boards and even goes down low a little. He simply played too soft as a starter, we do need to upgrade over Morris, but Pat is a bench player.
I fear that Patrick will be pissed if coming off the bench. But, oh well, he's probably gonna be traded anyway.
I think there is a health issue holding down Pat's minutes. Morey mentioned it this morning during his radio interview and there was something written about it at the Chron, too, I think. Specifically, the foot pain that caused him to miss some games earlier appear to be a reaction to stress and use during the season, there is talk that he may need surgery to insert some screws on foot or ankle in the offseason (and I think they were contemplating such surgery earlier, but 2nd opinion said they would try rest first). The bench role may be a way to more selectively use Pat's skills as both the 4 and 5 positions against the right matchups.
I think his niche is that of a 6th man. Not a starter (where he is capable), nor a bench player (where you use him when a starter needs a rest), but a high minute player that doesn't start.
Last night vs. New Orleans... Patrick Patterson 6'9" (backup) 10 rebounds, 1 block Marcus Morris 6'8" (starter) 1 rebound, 0 block
neither one is a starting caliber pf Patterson shoots long 2's and 3's and is rarely around the basket for a rebound- yesterday was a rare showing. At best, Greg Smith should be starting at pf if not for the fact, that no one else named Harden on the starting lineup can constantly create their own shots and that he is the back up C
Morris is more of an instant offense guy who'd be ideal coming off the bench. He won't do anything else, but score a few points. Patterson has a size edge and is more of a natural PF. He just needed to focus on rebounding more and it looks like he's doing that now. He should start.
Honestly, yes. Do I want him there for the long term, no sir. Even though his numbers have improved, the soft style of play he has still makes him a liability at times.
Coaching staff don't want to necessarily have two guys (Asik and PF) clogging up the paint most of the time.... so it will be hard for the PF that is spacing the floor to come up with more rebounds
