It’s easy to give up hamburger and fries when your dream is at stake.
The Hawks wanted Lamar Patterson to lose some weight — and hence get quicker — after they obtained him in a second-round draft night trade last year. The guard/forward spent last season playing professionally in Turkey, came to Atlanta soon after the season to work out and was signed to a partially guaranteed contract. His first NBA training camp began in earnest Wednesday night when the Hawks opened the exhibition season against the Cavaliers in Cincinnati. Patterson started the second half at shooting guard in place of Kyle Korver. He finished with two points.
The 6-foot-5 Patterson, who weighed 226 pounds when he was drafted, is down to 212. He said the biggest change was to his diet. He cut out red meat and high-carb foods. A typical meal now consists of fish, brown rice and vegetables twice daily. He will occasionally eat chicken.
“I always worked out hard and did extra work,” Patterson said recently. “It was the diet that took it to the next level. … I had so much motivation, it’s nothing. If I have to sacrifice food for my dream and family, it’s worth it.”
In a 35-game season for Tofas Bursa, Patterson averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.2 minutes. He played for the Hawks’ Las Vegas Summer League entry in July and averaged a team-best 13.1 points with 4.3 rebounds in 25.9 minutes over seven games. He averaged six points and 1.8 rebounds in the tournament last year.
“He is such a good, smart basketball player, I think sometimes his ability to move and get to spots, both offensively and defensively, were not quite where he needed to be,” Hawks coach Mike Budennholzer said of Patterson weight loss. “Especially defensively, being able to move his feet and keep people in front of him, guard perimeter players, chase coming off screens. Hopefully, you’ll see him getting to the basket, into the paint, beating people off the dribble, being able to finish. I think it’s going to help him everywhere in his game.”
Patterson did admit recently he will sneak some (as healthy as possible) candy on occasion. Call it a reward.
The physical change has paid off. Patterson said he feels much quicker. In a six-man competition for one vacant roster spot, the 24-year old has made an impression on the front office, coaches and teammates. He said a typical day this summer included two-a-day practices, cardio work and hot yoga.
“I’m completely different,” Patterson said. “I feel a lot quicker. Just being able to have that agility on the court, you can elevate your game to another level. I feel like a different person. I feel like I breathe different. I’m glad that I made this change. Like why haven’t I done it eight years ago?”
Patterson has a shot at making the team and his versatility will be a major factor. He said he has played point guard, shooting guard and small forward in summer workouts and the start of training camp. He called himself a “Swiss Army knife” and wants to show that he can play and, most importantly defend, several positions.
“I want to go out there and play defense, make the right pass and when my time comes for a shot, to make sure I’m knocking it down,” Patterson said.
He figures to get a long look during the seven-game exhibition season. If he does not make the roster, he will become a free agent and the Hawks will lose his rights. Following Wednesday’s game, the Hawks play the Pelicans in Jacksonville, Fla. Friday. Their first home exhibition game is against the Spurs next Wednesday.
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