Before each OKC Thunder home match, power forward Patrick Patterson and center Steven Adams can be seen boxing one another out in the paint, battling for rebounds. It’s become somewhat of a ritual for the two big men. A subtle aspect which could easily be overlooked; but it sheds light on just how close-knit the Thunder’s chemistry was.
Once the Thunder acquired Markieff Morris via the NBA’s buyout market, it became clear rather quickly backup big man Patrick Patterson would lose minutes. Unfortunately for Pat, he was cut out of the rotation entirely.