Lamar Patterson’s biggest fans finally will be able to see him play
In his first year at the Brisbane Bullets, Lamar Patterson has made his mark and he will need to be in top form to keep his team in the NBL finals series.
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Two of Lamar Patterson’s biggest fans may just be able to extend their bedtime to see Brisbane’s star import try to keep the Bullets alive in the NBL finals race on Saturday.
Patterson’s sons Zaiden, 11, and Elijah, 5, are back in the US and rarely get to see their Dad play for the Bullets due to the time difference.
But the 1.50pm tip-off at Boondall for game two of the NBL semi-final series against Perth may allow Patterson’s sons to watch the live stream of the do-or-die match for Brisbane.
Patterson had a quiet nine-point outing in the 89-59 loss to the Wildcats on Thursday night in the opening game of the semi-final series, hitting just three field goals from 14 attempts.
It was an uncharacteristic return for Patterson, who has averaged 18 points, six rebounds and four assists per game for Brisbane on the way to being selected in the All-NBL First Team.
As a player on the fringe of the NBA after 44 games for the Atlanta Hawks, Patterson has bounced around the US in the second-tier G-League, as well as plying his trade in Europe and China as a hired gun.
Being under pressure to perform is nothing new to him and he draws inspiration from his two boys back home.
“I do what I do to provide for them, absolutely. You always want to be there for them but you miss a lot of invaluable moments of them growing up when you do what I do,’’ Patterson said.
“But everyone understands that this is my job and I see them as much as I possibly can.
“Our games out here are too late for them. They’ve got school and all that sort of stuff going on, so they are knocked out by the time we play. But I know other family members are watching which is great.’’
Another member of Patterson’s “family” – his pet french bulldog Kobe – is not so fussed about the Bullets.
Kobe and his owner made international headlines in November when they were stopped at customs in Brisbane after the pet dog had travelled from the US in Patterson’s carry-on luggage.
Kobe headed back to the US immediately and is currently “chillin’’ in LA, and Patterson has all but given up on maintaining his pet’s social media profile.
“He’s relaxing and having a good time. He hears my voice on the phone, pauses, then keeps moving. He doesn’t care about what’s happening over here,’’ he said.
“I started it for him (a social media account) but I can barely keep up with my own. He’s not around me, so it’s hard to keep it going.’’
Patterson came to Brisbane on a one-season contract and his matchwinning abilities will be in high demand in the NBL, Europe and Asia.
He will head home when his Bullets commitments are over and then assess his options.
“It (next season) has been brought up but I just want to wait until later on before I make any decision,’’ Patterson said.
“I don’t like doing stuff too early, you never know what could happen. Once the season is over, I’ll go over and see my kids and go from there.
“Apart from the heat, I’ve loved it here. Everyone at the club welcomed me with open arms. The coaches and my teammates have been great.
“We just want to win it all. From day one, the plan was to make the playoffs and make something happen.
“We know we can play well as a team. We just have to go out there and execute and play Brisbane Bullets basketball.’’
Originally published as Lamar Patterson’s biggest fans finally will be able to see him play
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