The ROTY/Rookie Discussion Thread, Part III

Trugger · Post #841 » by **Trugger** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:01 am

Think It would be a perfect opportunity for Simmons to put up some 3s in the blowouts or even Fultz having a go at putting up something!!!

Post #842 » by **Klomp** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 9:50 am

Most of you probably don't know (and might not care), but I thought I'd give an update on the Wolves' rookie big man Justin Patton.

He missed all offseason and the start of the season with a foot injury. Since Dec. 8, he's continued his rehab and development in the G League for the Iowa Wolves. In the 24 games since then, he's averaging 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 1.3 apg and 0.8 spg in only 20 minutes per game (still on a 25-minute restriction to help him heal).

It's easy to just look at those numbers and say they aren't very impressive, but keep in mind that's only in 20-25 minutes per game. More importantly, he looks like a man among boys down there. Beyond the numbers, his game just pops when you watch the games. He makes plays that 7-footers shouldn't make, G League or NBA. Whether that's post moves or passes, he jumps off the tape.

I'm waiting for someone to hopefully put together a season highlight video, but for now we just have single-play and single-game cut-ups, such as below.

Spoiler:

I wouldn't expect to see him playing for the Timberwolves this season, but I fully expect him to be in the regular rotation next year.

TheZachAttack · Post #843 » by **TheZachAttack** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:37 am

Justin Patton has flown under the radar injuring himself during the summer league and finally working his way back on a minutes restriction that has slowly been lifted in the G-League. Watch his most recent game folks... [url]

Watch on YouTube

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First, the opposing teams frontcourt are 7 footers...Patton is huge and has grown to a legit 7'1 or maybe even 7'2. He's flashing really exciting potential. His tape POPS.

Defensively Patton is athletic enough, long enough, and has the height to play either forward spot. Patton is 7'1 with a 7'2.5 wingspan and pretty athletic.

He's still on a minutes restriction, but he's very skilled for someone his size and has flashed that skill in the G-League. In just 20 mpg he's averaging:

12 points on 52/47.5/80 (9.6 FGA - 0.4-0.8 3FGA - 1.7 - 2.1 FTA)
5 rebounds
1.3 assists
0.8 steals
1.4 blocks

Per 36 that's 21.6 pts/9 rbd/2.34 ast/2.5 blocks/1.5 steals

He's continued to get better as he's gotten more comfortable and flashed the ability to shoot 3's and also great court vision and passing instincts.

Here's some more highlights that further illustrate his skillset.

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/2018/01/29/quick-update-on-wolves-rookie-justin-patton/

Patton is raw and just 20 years old, but he's got all of the skills, athletic ability, and length to be an extremely good find for the Wolves and a potential future frontcourt mate for Towns.

I know it's the G-league and scrub level NBA players can put up monster stats. But watch him play, stats be damned Patton is extremely talented.

Could Justin Patton be the best player from this draft or at the very least the best big? It's not too much hyperbole to think so...regardless it will be exciting to see his development.

I'm not gonna say who he reminds me of...I'll let you guys guess who I'm thinking.

Here's a couple more highlight videos for your viewing pleasure.

Watch on YouTube

baldur · Post #844 » by **baldur** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:41 am

The depth of this 2017 draft is crazy. A lot of rookies contribute meaningfully already.

wfiles · Post #845 » by **wfiles** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:43 am

TheZachAttack · Post #846 » by **TheZachAttack** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:47 am

baldur wrote:The depth of this 2017 draft is crazy. A lot of rookies contribute meaningfully already.

It's fun to be blown away by a draft pick in ways you weren't ever expecting. It's one thing to hit on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd pick...it's another when all of a sudden a mid to late 1st round pick flashes all star ability out of nowhere.

Excited to see where this class goes.

God Squad · Post #847 » by **God Squad** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:56 am

He plays like Lamarcus Aldridge

TheZachAttack · Post #848 » by **TheZachAttack** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:00 am

God Squad wrote:He plays like Lamarcus Aldridge

Not a bad comp in terms of the shooting stroke...I'm not sure that Aldridge has the handles or passing vision/creativity that Patton has flashed. Again G-League competition compared to NBA competition though.

SweetBro · Post #849 » by **SweetBro** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:32 pm

Its nice to see a 7'1" dude trying to sauce guys like Jamal Crawford. I wanna see him put on some weight and join the big team next year.

TheZachAttack · Post #850 » by **TheZachAttack** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:45 pm

SweetBro wrote:Its nice to see a 7'1" dude trying to sauce guys like Jamal Crawford. I wanna see him put on some weight and join the big team next year.

He'll probably have to reign it in a little bit at the NBA level...I mean look at the kinds of plays guys like Rubio were making before the NBA. A lot of what he does is pretty fundamental and he's making the right plays, but I wonder if NBA players will be able to pick off more of his cross court whips and some of the tighter passes he's been able to make at the G-League level.

stitches · Post #851 » by **stitches** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:07 pm

Klomp wrote:Most of you probably don't know (and might not care), but I thought I'd give an update on the Wolves' rookie big man Justin Patton.

He missed all offseason and the start of the season with a foot injury. Since Dec. 8, he's continued his rehab and development in the G League for the Iowa Wolves. In the 24 games since then, he's averaging 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 1.3 apg and 0.8 spg in only 20 minutes per game (still on a 25-minute restriction to help him heal).

It's easy to just look at those numbers and say they aren't very impressive, but keep in mind that's only in 20-25 minutes per game. More importantly, he looks like a man among boys down there. Beyond the numbers, his game just pops when you watch the games. He makes plays that 7-footers shouldn't make, G League or NBA. Whether that's post moves or passes, he jumps off the tape.

I'm waiting for someone to hopefully put together a season highlight video, but for now we just have single-play and single-game cut-ups, such as below.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I wouldn't expect to see him playing for the Timberwolves this season, but I fully expect him to be in the regular rotation next year.

Thanks for the update, I was a fan of his in last year's draft. Hope he develops well.

Spoiler:

thinktank · Post #852 » by **thinktank** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:21 pm

Klomp wrote:

Read on Twitter

ChiTownHero1992 · Post #853 » by **ChiTownHero1992** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:26 pm

Always wanted him with the Bulls...really wish we had Kept our pick too in the trade to take him. Would be nice next to Markannen.

stitches · Post #854 » by **stitches** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:14 pm

Read on Twitter

TheZachAttack · Post #855 » by **TheZachAttack** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:18 pm

ChiTownHero1992 wrote:Always wanted him with the Bulls...really wish we had Kept our pick too in the trade to take him. Would be nice next to Markannen.

I don't think the Wolves make the trade without getting that pick back. Here I am wondering what the Wolves roster would look like if we had traded Wiggins for Butler instead of Lavine. That's not to say that Lavine or Wiggins is a better player, but they are different offensive players. On the Wolves roster as it's constructed currently, Wiggins is the 3rd option and spaces the floor for the Wolves.

Wiggins can make perimeter shots, but he's best with the offense running through him and in attack mode--finishing at the rim and getting to the line are his strengths. Lavine's elite ability to shoot the ball, space the floor, and score off-ball might work better in Wiggins role as the roster is currently instructed.

Enjoy Lavine, I think he's the most talented young SG in the league and I think you got a good one in Markannen.

I'm not sure I've seen a trade in recent memory involving the kind of talent (Butler/Lavine/Markannen/Patton/Dunn) as this trade had.

Post #856 » by **Mr. E** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:20 pm

If you want a guy to get here soon and get some payoff for the anticipation then perhaps you should not reference Game of Thrones so heavily.

If he goes that route then he'll be 35 before he ever makes it to the main roster.

Pinkyring · Post #857 » by **Pinkyring** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:25 pm

A thread about a guy on a mins restriction in the league? Ok, motley is averaging 21 and 10 there for the mavs g league, maybe i should make a thread for that 2

SweetBro · Post #858 » by **SweetBro** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:25 pm

Mr. E wrote:If you want a guy to get here soon and get some payoff for the anticipation then perhaps you should not reference Game of Thrones so heavily.

If he goes that route then he'll be 35 before he ever makes it to the main roster.

Or he'll die

TheSuzerain · Post #859 » by **TheSuzerain** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:28 pm

lmao G-League hype thread

Patton was a botched pick by the Wolves at #16

SweetBro · Post #860 » by **SweetBro** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:28 pm

Pinkyring wrote:A thread about a guy on a mins restriction in the league? Ok, motley is averaging 21 and 10 there for the mavs g league, maybe i should make a thread for that 2

Nobody is stopping you. OP provided a good writeup, with stats and embedded tweets. Its not like a standard 'look at this guy thread' that's a paragraph long and contains a completely uncalled for comparison to a superstar.

Who wins? (May select 2 options.)