Should Patterson Go?
by ben-p on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM EDT
30 comments
Playing devil's advocate here.
Will Patterson really fit in the DDMO? I keep hearing that Patterson will benefit from having a year playing in the 4 spot (rather than the 5 where he has been). But is the 4 spot in the DDMO really Patterson's true position? From what I understand (please tell me if I'm wrong on this) the DDMO is a four out system where the 1-4 need to be able to put the ball on the floor and drive in for a layup, make the dump pass to the 5, or make an outlet pass to one of the other three out. Can Patterson really initiate this offense (which all 4 out need to be able to do).
Don't get me wrong, Patterson is a hell of a player and I really hope to have him back next year, but is this system really for him? Did Calipari recruit him out of high school at all? This offense is very different from the High-Low we've been running with two in. Patterson would be a complete beast at the 4 in that offense IMO.
Personally I think that Patterson's game would greatly benefit from a year in the system just because no matter what it's going to help him prepare for the NBA game where he's going to need to be able to do the same things that the DDMO requires him to do. I'm just starting to think that his draft stock might be higher if he left now.
Discuss! Tell me how wrong I am. If I'm just not understanding the DDMO and that's the issue please let me know, I'm still trying to figure it out (maybe some of you Memphis people that have watched more of their games than I have).
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I voted yes,
because Patterson is just plain REALLY good. I think he could fit into any system he had to fit into. He’s just an incredibly talented basketball player.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
My thoughts exactly
I was just about ready to type the same thing.
I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra
The DDMO is exactly what PPat needs to improve his draft stock
As a 4 in the NBA he needs to be able to put the ball on the floor, create his own shot, and play facing the basket, while consistently making the 15 foot jumper (he has shown that he can knock down that shot).
The DDMO will be great training for him in his attempt to become a lottery selection.
I...
believe he should stay. He played well last year, but when he went up against other quality bigs like Varnardo, he was dominated. He needs to learn to rely more on his power than finesse. Too many times did he try and lay it in and get blocked when a dunk would’ve got him the basket or atleast a trip to the line. Those weak plays won’t cut it in the league.
The Spork, I'm two things in one.
I agree.
A bad game against Varnado can be excused, but against USC (I think???) when he was swatted repeatedly by much smaller guys.
Not totally his fault, but is can’t hurt his stock to go a season without that happening.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
He still scored high in that game.
Even though it didn’t seem like it at the time I believe 28 or so points?
He got the bulk those points in the final 10 minutes when the game was already decided.
SC was allowing him the catch, and SHOT, but they were “ducking-under” and swatting his shot. All the SC defenders were doing it, so I think that someone on the SC staff coached the technique.
After that game Patterson did begin to utilize the shot and ball fake a bit more.
by Ken Howlett on Apr 11, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he could benefit by coming back
he doesn’t have to play the 4 spot all of the time…he can also play the 5 as well…While I think he does need exposure at the 4, Cousins can play out on the perimiter as well.
I could easily see
Patterson, Cousins, Orton, Stevenson, and Pilgrim all sort of rotating in and out of the 4 and 5 spot. It would be very confusing for defenses since all 5 play a little different.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
If Patterson Is Top 15, He Should Go
The 2009 draft is projected to be weaker than 2010 will be.
Harder to be in the lottery next year.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 11, 2009 8:06 PM EDT reply actions
As of now, I don't believe he's in the top 20.
But of course the projections we’re seeing now could be waaay off.
Forty has a good point.
This years draft is weaker than in years previous and if Wall, Cousins etc take off for the NBA next year that pushes Pat down the list. Only a 15 or better would ideal. Next year’s class is liable to push him back past 15. He would have to lead NCAA, SEC in scoring and rebounding next year if he was to guarantee a lotto pick. Maybe a little exaggeration there but you get what I mean, hopefully. :)
This might be a good year for both Pat and Meeks. If you draft based on potential, both guys have serious upside. Both need work but everyone said the same thing about Rondo. If he ever gets a jump shot he’ll be dangerous. :) I’m sure Meeks would get the handle of ball handling real quick if that’s all he has to worry about, besides summer league and hitting the weights.
Mock Drafts
I have seen many mock 2009 and 2010 drafts…it seems that Meeks ranges from low first round but mostly falls into second round category…of course, that all figures to change once he hits the pre-draft camps and his size and strength are displayed… I feel he would best be served by staying at UK and getting a feel of an NBA level offense…of course, some of that is wishful UK bias on my part…
As far as Pat goes, I have seen him range from 17-22 in 2009 and as high as 13 in 2010…I think his minor/season ending injuries the last two years and the fact that he can succeed in any offense (I think he has the will and determination to do whatever it takes to be successful) as well as the desire to win at UK may bring him back for his Junior year…which I think will invariably help him reach a higher draft position in 2010… but I agree with Forty…if he goes through the process this year and can realize a top 15 or higher slot, that he may be better off getting in to the NBA rather than risk another injury that may hurt his 2010 chances…of course, my UK bias would like to see him stay…and certainly in more recent memory, staying in school helped Brandon Roy come into the league more prepared mentally and physically to not only be a major contributor right away, but earn R.O.Y award and all-star spots his last two years…I think Pat, with added seasoning in college can improve his game (playing in two different offensive systems—one a half court high-low set and the other a DDMO guard oriented offense—can only help his cause to fit into whatever NBA team system wishes to draft him)… but I am biased..I would love to see him in UK blue for one more year and in a Blazer uniform afterwards…
I'd Imagine Meeks Won't Have A Better Year In 2010 Than 2009
And if he can get 1st round assurances, he probably should go.
Patterson should go if he’s a lottery pick in 2009.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 12, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions
Well, I think it depends on what you would qualify
as a “better year.” Will he score 54 points, 40 some points, and in the 30’s multiple times under Calipari? No, doubtful. Still, 2010 would give him a solid opporunity to show that he’s can be an all around player. He can improve his ballhandling and get assists up and turnovers down.
He was shooting at a pretty putrid percentage by the end of the season, and while he was relatively consistent for much of the season, he began to show signs of being “streaky” towards the end. All this could be remedied.
Speaking just from a points perspective, yes, he may have trouble putting up numbers like last season, though I still see him as a 20+ pts/game player.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
A Better Year From NBA Draft Perspective
I think 2009 is a better spot than 2010 would be for Meeks.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 13, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Your opinion?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
I...
think you are in the minority on that one. I think most think that Meeks will be back.
The Spork, I'm two things in one.
I agree.
Personally, I certainly have no clue what they will do, but I haven’t seen anyone anywhere express that a stongly as you, crip.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
It's a tough sell for him next year. Lots o talent out there
next year. With a few good workouts he can get a 1st round pick. He was looking like a first round pick until the team fell apart. Why can’t he do it again?
Remember, the draft is all about potential. He’s got it in spades. How much of his performance this year was due to “unhappy playing conditions”? All I know is I saw a tale of two Jodie’s this season. What the repressed Jodie was thinking is for him to figure out, but I saw a Jodie this year that could beat his man off the dribble and take it to the rack or spot up for the J. Somewhere he lost his mojo. If he can regain it before workouts begin and flash that hustle I bet he will convince someone to snatch him up in the first round.
Yes it is my opinion. Craaaaaazzy, I know. :) But I don’t mind being a minority. I just happen not to agree with what most everyone else is saying on this subject. It would be neat to see him play again in the UK uniform, but I don’t think he needs to. He could learn some stuff from Calipari, who’s to say he isn’t learning it right now? He still has a month until he has to make his decision. Lots could happen in that time. :)
ESPN's Chad Ford
had this to say about Meeks in his In/Out? section.
“Meeks was a scoring machine at Kentucky this season. His speed and shooting ability really stood out. So did that 54-point performance against Tennessee. However, his lack of great size or explosive athleticism hurts his stock a bit. He’s a second-rounder if he stays in the draft. More likely, he returns to Kentucky for his senior season and lets John Calipari work his magic.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=InOut
I think they both come back
Really, what did Meeks have to lose buy declaring without an agent? You get one shot at it, and he is a Junior. No harm, no foul.
Patterson I believe would thrive in the DDMO. He has been playing the 5 for two years, and with Orton (hopefully) he’d get a chance to play the 4 and showcase his talent more. He has the mid range jumper, he just didn’t have a lot of opportunity to show it.
Envy our past......Fear our future
Patrick needs to enter the draft. He is a likely 15-25 pick. Does he need to improve? Yes of course. But his stock (like Jody’s) is about as good as it will be. Teams don’t draft “tweeners” like PPat REALLY high. Ike Diogu was the last of those to go super high (#8 overall), and he has struggled in the league finding a home. Patrick needs to develop some sort of left hand. If you were to throw a hundred dollars on the floor and grab PP’s right hand, I don’t believe he could pick it up! Patrick is 6’7 without shoes. However, you don’t play without shoes…so he’s 6’8. But he’s a 4-man. Got to develop a more consistent jumper as well. That said, he should remain in the draft.
Dformer
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