Rockets said they were "delighted, absolutely delighted." They welcomed the draft room when Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson was still available when they are selected from the 14 th selection. They declared him as the sixth player in the draft board.
It was not clear why, but they were so excited. Director of Intelligence Gerald Madkins said that they "loved" "Patterson, a professional approach, and how he will" fit in our locker room. " General manager Daryl Morey said Patterson has a chance to be a very solid start, potentially more. " All this may seem, can be placed on the advertising board.
A few moments later, and the first time in his career with rockets, Patterson picked up the slack.
'I want to become an elite player in game ", says Patterson. "I want to prove I can shoot that all-star team, to make it to the playoffs and represent the franchise, as Houston is well.
Mori says that he worked to move up to the top five, but the last of these deals fell through about 2 hours before the start of the project. He said that the talks move to ninth, tenth and 12 picks to get Patterson, could not make those deals, but it still received.
Patterson was the only player in Rockets took a potential bidding on and then takes fizzling, Mori said, because he wanted to preserve the assets of a potential trade and free agent deals in the next month.
"He is incredibly versatile guy," said Mori. "He can score a lot of ways. You can face up. Back to the basket. You can go to college 3. In defense of the young players need to improve defense, but we see it in the end, as well as a defender."
Asked Patterson brings the best quality, Mori said, "his versatility and his work ethic."
Patterson, 6-9, 235-pound, was an honorable mention All American junior, averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, making 57.5 percent of his shots. He averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds while 60.3 per cent of stroke, as sophomore, were in favor of the project, and then left to return to Kentucky and received his degree in three years.
"We are thrilled", Madkins said. "He was going to the guy, guy, № 1, then the guy who can fill the role. This year all freshmen coming in, it kind of took the ads away, but it does not disappear.
From these guys we love in our locker room. Rectilinear approach, they did not worry about what role they assume.
Patterson, however, had a clear idea of what he can bring, referring to the more tangible attributes on the court than his approach.
"I can give you strength," he said. "I can be a tough guy, the guy who will not concede, which will continue to push through the tough times and running down the court, post-up, as well as to help Yao (Ming.) I can not get out on the perimeter, hit the jump training, help all the way out at 3 and rebound. I can do all that asked me.
Patterson, 21, is a more experienced player than many of the perspectives taken in the upper half of the first round, but Madkins said he expects its growth, the low scorer in the post and man-man defender. He said that Patterson has improved his outside shot, but mostly raved ratio Patterson.
"He brings a lot of intangibles that teams love to have", Madkins said. " "I think it's important to add quality people to the locker room. Not to take on his ability on the court, but he is hard working, professional attitude, and you really can not measure it. I think we appreciate that, probably more than most teams .
Patterson was happy to just be accepted. He was regarded as a solid perspective in the first round and was invited to Madison Square Garden, indicating the NBA expect him to go to the first 15 picks. He did not anticipate anything until he trembling hand, David Stern before the cameras.
"I'm just very nervous and excited - shaking on the inside," he said, the draft in New York. "My goal was to come here and get a hat. I did not mind when my name is called. I just wanted a hat, and I got one I'm very pleased.
"I can not stop smiling. And finally, my dream has come true. I'm just trying to survive it all, just enjoy every second of it."
