Rockets Assign Patrick Patterson To Rio Grande Valley

by Tom Martin on Nov 9, 2010 5:57 PM CST in News

I really, really like Patrick Patterson, and if there is anyone out there who thinks that Patterson is being assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers because he isn't good enough to play at the NBA level, or that he is a bust, or anything ludicrous like that... well, shut it. This has nothing to do with Patterson's talent.

Well, actually it does, in the sense that the Rockets don't want to see it rotting on a bench.

The Rockets sent Patterson down to the D-League on Tuesday in order to free him. They want to let him play, but, as Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk points out, there's just too much proven depth in front of him on the professional roster. Rick Adelman has never been a huge proponent of playing rookies, anyway, so this comes as no surprise.

At the same time, you have to wonder what will become of Patterson once he returns. Jermaine Taylor and Joey Dorsey were also sent down to the D-League, steadfastly improved and haven't done much since, though Taylor still has plenty of time to impress. It's my personal belief that Patterson will be the first ex-Viper to make a big impact on the professional club. He is too dedicated and too smart to let a demotion rub him the wrong way, and he is too talented to be kept down there for long should the Rockets need another replacement big body. He's far better than Dorsey, if you want to compare by position.

Don't forget about Patterson, by any means. While this isn't a proven strategy - demoting lottery picks to the D-League, that is - someone needs to set the trend. Patterson can be that player who shapes the development of handcuffed rookies for years to come. Ask Gerald Henderson what good it does to sit on a bench all season long.

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I just hope

That being moved to the D league doesn’t turn him off of the organization as a whole, considering only one or two lottery picks get sent to the NBADL

Wafer . . . again. (Marv Albert, HOU v. CLE Feb 2009)
-one of the FEW at Toyota Center who has the Wafer jersey

by olivarezq1 on Nov 9, 2010 6:04 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I wouldn't be suprised

If the Rockets asked him if he was cool with it, or at the very least explained why they were doing it. (By it I mean assigning him to Rio Grande Valley obviously) I mean that sounds like a pretty common sense way to handle it.

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Nov 9, 2010 6:29 PM CST up reply actions

I doubt the organization asked if he was cool with it.

What would he say to that anyway? He’s a rookie, what say does he have in that? Now if you asked Battier to go down to the D-League (hypothetically speaking of course, only Freshman and Sophomores can go to the DL), I’m pretty sure he would say no.

by basketball is cool on Nov 9, 2010 6:51 PM CST up reply actions

Why wouldn't they

Ask him? You want your players to be happy. Running a despotic franchise is one way to guarantee your guys won’t be. And like the article said Pat is a smart guy. I’m sure he’d see the benefits on his own.

by mob16151 on Nov 9, 2010 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

Hey, hey now. Don't forget about our good friend Aaron Brooks.

He went down to the D-League his rookie year. For two days/games, granted, but it still counts.

by basketball is cool on Nov 9, 2010 6:52 PM CST reply actions

This is the point of having a farm team.

Now Patterson will get PT.

"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."

Twitter - xiane1
The Dreamshake

by Xiane on Nov 9, 2010 8:45 PM CST reply actions

Good stuff

Earl Clark and Hasheem Thabeet were the two lottery picks to spend time in the D-League last year. Earl Clark was the 14th overall last year as well, but Patterson looks like a much much better prospect than Clark.

"...and Kareem Jackson will fall down..."

by .Bonzo on Nov 9, 2010 9:03 PM CST reply actions

That is a good move in the Rockets part. He will get some solid minutes at Rio Grande to grow as a player. Dont forget that the Rockets are the only NBA team to own their own D League team, just like TRIPLE A in baseball, so he will be working in the Offensive system as the Rockets use in the NBA. No reason for him to rot on the bench. GOOD MOVE.

by Jorge L. Martinez on Nov 9, 2010 10:48 PM CST reply actions

I thought SAS and OKC have done something similar.

"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."

Twitter - xiane1
The Dreamshake

by Xiane on Nov 9, 2010 10:48 PM CST up reply actions

I think we're the only team that has only basketball operation control

SAS and OKC are single affiliation through ownership, Rockets dont own the RGV as far as i know, only complete basketball operation control

by NVP on Nov 9, 2010 10:54 PM CST up reply actions

Our D-league team is no ordinary d-league team

The RGV is as more of an extension of the Rockets than any other D-league team. The coach run play out of the Rockets’ playbook, and their basketball operation work closely with rockets scouting, Rox send strength coaches down there periodically. JT and Dorsey benefited directly from it.

btw our single affiliation with RGV last year did pay good dividend, with Garret Temple filled in very nicely for Kyle Lowry when he was injured, Mike Harris fits in seamlessly whenever he played

by NVP on Nov 9, 2010 10:49 PM CST reply actions

I like this move.

Patterson can develop his inside game more against crappy big men and boost his confidence level.

My only fear is that Patterson isn’t happy with this decision. He’s a really mature kid and fits in with our group of guys, but I just hope he has the patience and can wait for his opportunity. Unfortunately, that may be in 1-3 years, depending on how well Jordan progresses.

Scola will have the starter’s job locked up for awhile, so unless Jordan gets injured or is just not producing, P-Patt won’t be seeing any playing time for quite awhile.

"You got to believe in yourself. Hell, I believe I'm the best-looking guy in the world and I might be right."- Charles Barkley

by bone31crusher on Nov 10, 2010 12:03 AM CST reply actions

Then why Draft another PF

when you have Scola, Hill, Hayes(for some reason), and Jeffries? Why not grab a SF or a C seeing as how Yao said he’d retire if things with his foot didnt work out this year and your not getting consistant production out of your SFs

by fanoflosingteams on Nov 10, 2010 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

Why we didn't buy a 2nd to draft Whiteside is beyond me.

But Patterson, I totally got. He’s Carl Landry with better D and the ability to guard big SF, and possibly, 3pt range. People are always complaining that the Rockets don’t have a “spacing” power forward. Well, now they do.

"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."

Twitter - xiane1
The Dreamshake

by Xiane on Nov 11, 2010 11:48 PM CST up reply actions