Breakers Release Lamar Patterson

The Sky Sport Breakers have agreed to the mutual release of injured import Lamar Patterson to the Brisbane Bullets for the remainder of the NBL21 season.

The 29-year-old has played just six games for the Breakers averaging an underwhelming 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, and has not played since injuring his knee against the Hawks on February 22.

In his previous two seasons with the Bullets, Patterson has averaged 19.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists and twice been named an NBL First Team All-Star. 

Patterson thinks leaving is the best thing for the Breakers and for him.

"The circumstances with Lamar have been difficult from day one," says Head Coach Dan Shamir.

“When we signed Lamar, we knew it was going to be quite some time before we could get him with the team because of COVID border restrictions entering New Zealand."

The Breakers have been moving around Australia since mid-December. Despite initially thinking they may return to New Zealand mid-season, the reality appears to be they will play the whole season on the road.

"The current world situation is tough for a lot of teams in a lot of countries, but the New Zealand Breakers are one of the most complicated situations of all," says Shamir.

"We don't have a home base, and there are a lot of external reasons which led to this unsuccessful situation with Lamar and obviously, it didn't work.  

"Lamar got to us 12 days before game one, and unfortunately, he was not in top shape to play, and it was a difficult situation.  It influenced how he played, and it influenced the whole team.

"He was getting in shape and getting better, then he got hurt."

Patterson agrees he was beginning to find form before injury struck.

"I have not been able to get into any rhythm on or off the court this season, he says.

"I'm a routine person, and I've been unable to do it with the Breakers because we've always been moving, and it has messed up my routine for sure.

"With me at my best, the Breakers have a deadly team, but unfortunately, circumstances didn't work out for me.  

"I've got ahead of the situation and done what I think is best for me and the club."

With two-thirds of the regular season still to play, the Breakers roster is depleted, especially with Tall Blacks Centre Rob Loe back in New Zealand for personal reasons and Corey Webster out injured for at least another three weeks.

However, Dan Shamir is seizing the opportunity to rebuild his team in recruiting 196cm Guard Levi Randolph, who has been playing in the Cleveland Cavaliers affiliated NBA G-League team.

In 15 games this season, the 28-year-old American has averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.

Randolph replaces the underperforming Patterson, while Australian Boomer Will McDowell-White was signed at the weekend.

"It is no secret in basketball you need creators, and losing both major creators in Lamar and Corey requires replacing them," says Shamir.

"Levi is a different player to Lamar, and Will is a different player again, but in terms of being a functional team, it gives us good weapons.

"Both are ball guards who can create for others, and once Corey comes back, we will have firepower in our backcourt."

Shamir says the new recruits will benefit immensely playing alongside 7-foot giant Colton Iverson who is proving to be the ultimate team player.

"Colton's a very special screen and roller who makes players who create play, better.  When Corey and Colton played together, you can see how great it can be.  

"With Levi, Will, and Corey, I'm hoping we're going to have a team that wins games."

Immigration formalities mean Randolph will likely join the Breakers in three weeks.  McDowell-White will finish quarantine in two weeks.

Shamir admits until they arrive,  the next three weeks will be challenging. 

"In the meantime, we're going to have to play five or six games, and we're going to have to work hard together and win a few to keep ourselves alive," he says.

The team is 4-9, having played just 13 games, and needs to make up games that were postponed earlier in the season.  

In contrast, Adelaide has played 17, Cairns, Illawarra, and South East Melbourne have played 16, and Sydney and Brisbane 15 games, respectively.