Kentucky's Patrick Patterson: A Star Passed By?

On Tuesday night, I got the tickets I dreamed about. I was about to watch my Kentucky Wildcats play the Alabama Crimson Tide from two rows up. I was right there, practically on the floor, five feet from Keenan Burton and Wesley Woodyard, who both came back to Lexington for the game.

I didn't ever want to leave.

I lucked into these tickets from a friend—and man, did I get a show. Upon getting to the seats, we got to see the pregame warmups—which were like the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. You had the likes of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and even Mark Krebs putting on a clinic in dunking—all being topped off by Eric Bledsoe's between-the-legs, one-handed dunk. It was a true show of Kentucky's athleticism across the board.

After the warmups, possibly my favorite part of the night starts: the introduction of the players. All the lights go off, lights start going everywhere, then plays loud music and a video of Kentucky basketball that always takes me to my basketball memories of UK.

The players start to be called out, one at a time, each coming out to a standing ovation from the crowd and chest bumps from the team.  

Finally, the last player is called, a 6'9" junior from Huntington, W.Va.: Patrick Patterson, who is the most experienced player, a starter, and the man who will hold this team together when things get tough.

Those are the reasons why Patterson is still the heart and soul of the Wildcat team. Many people believe that because of the other starters on this team, he is not as needed anymore—but I say that is not so. It was especially not true when the season started.

I believe we would have had a few early losses if it had not been for the leadership of Patterson.

Many times, at the beginning of the season, there would be extended amounts of time during which Wall would not be in. When that was the case, you could see who was in charge: Patterson, running the floor from the post. Now at the end of the season, with the progression of Wall and others, Patterson does not have to do as much.

With this reduced role, many national pundits are starting to question Patterson’s return this year. Some believe that he has done major damage to his draft status. There are numbers that people point to that make it seem like Patterson is a less-than-effective player.

Patterson's numbers have dropped in every statistical category this year—with the exception of any stat having to do with the three-point shot because this year is the first time he has ever made a three-pointer.

His numbers have declined, but if you look deeper into it, you have to look at the real reason Patterson stayed. He stayed because he wanted to win; he has said that many times—as well as he has not yet accomplished what he wanted to. So exit Billy Gillispie, enter Coach Cal, three top 30 recruits, and you become an instant championship performer. 

That is why he stayed: He wants that championship—and the coaching of Cal, which will make him worth more on the next level. The best comparison would be when Ray Allen went to the Celtics. His numbers took a major hit, but he didn’t care because he was in it for the team and the championship. It was a title he won because he sacrificed being the star.

This is exactly what Patterson is doing: He is sacrificing for the team while expanding his game. His draft status has not moved because he has become a legitimate outside threat, shooting 40 percent from three. He will still be a lottery pick—and still be a good NBA player. He has become one of the all-time favorites, this generation’s player they will never forget—no matter how his NBA career goes.

Patterson may have been passed up by his teammates in the national spotlight, but I think he is fine with that.