Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft Guide for the Chicago Bulls
Creighton’s Justin Patton
2016-17 season: 34 games played, 12.9 points on 68.4 percent shooting, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game
In terms of comparison and rise, Creighton big man Justin Patton is this year’s Deyonta Davis, but probably with a higher ceiling. It’s not just the No. 23 that brings Davis comparisons along with a thought of a (very) poor man’s Anthony Davis.
Patton is a lengthy, versatile player who showed improvement over his lone season in Nebraska playing under Doug McDermott’s father. He runs the floor well, his length alter more than just shots (7-foot-3 wingspan) and he’s not even 20 years old yet.
(Best-case scenario) comparable players (via The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide): Former NBA big men Theo Ratliff, Samuel Dalembert and current Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (the “lite” version)
I would’ve personally thought a “lite” version of Anthony Davis myself because KAT’s a bit thicker than both Patton and Davis, but being compared to one of the league’s best big men is a pretty solid compliment to have on your draft profile. That’s the kind of versatility that Patton can bring to the next level.
What does Draft Express think of Patton?
"He is calm on the ball on the perimeter, allowing players to run off him in the flow off the offense. He is gotten better at reading the defense and distributing the ball from the top of the key by dishing out 1.8 assists per 40 minutes. He’s also shown some comfort putting the ball on the ground and taking guys off the dribble to finish at the rim, especially going left. While he’ll certainly be more of an interior player and his decision making away from the basket must improve (his 2.7 turnovers per 40 minutes being the product of trying to do too much off the dribble), he has the potential to develop into a more versatile offensive player operating away from the rim when called upon. Josh Riddell, DX"