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Bullets import Lamar Patterson is “cool’’ with people knowing him for the customs calamity when he brought his pet dog into Australia in his hand luggage.
But the highly credentialed US import also intends to be remembered for what he does on the basketball court.
Patterson and his french bulldog Kobe created international headlines when they arrived in the country on November 1 and were stopped by border security after the pooch crossed the Pacific Ocean in the main cabin.
Kobe is back “chilling” with Patterson’s family in Los Angeles while the former Atlanta Hawk is finding his feet with the Bullets, giving ever-increasing glimpses of the class that took him to the NBA and made him a star in Italy and China.
After a quiet NBL debut against Adelaide just days after landing in Australia – and in hot water - the small forward last weekend had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists against Perth followed by 11 points, seven steals, five rebounds and five assists against New Zealand.
Heading into today’s match-up with reigning NBL champion Melbourne United in Melbourne, the 27-year-old said he can live with the notoriety of the customs drama but wants to also attract some attention for helping Brisbane become a force in the NBL.
“Yeah, I’m fine with all that (dog drama). It’s cool,’’ Patterson said.
“I just wanted to come down here and play my best basketball and help the Bullets win games. That’s the plan. That’s the only goal and it’s not changing.
“There’s no individual agendas. We have the one goal and I’m looking forward to continuing down that path with the Bullets.
“He (Kobe) is in LA right now. He is all good. He is chilling out and relaxing, enjoying the weather.’’
Patterson has not been putting his feet up.
Eager to get back into peak shape after not playing for two months since his stint in China ended, he has been the first player into the gym every morning.
All three of his NBL matches have ended with last-second, matchwinning shots so Patterson wants to be at his sharpest when games are on the line.
“It’s been crazy. It shows the gap between all the teams is so close. You’ve got to bring it every night and you cannot take a single second off in any game … that competitiveness and grind is what you want,’’ he said.
“The coaches have eased me into things appropriately and I’m getting the hang of our offence and style of play. I’m getting back into that game shape, too.
“I’m taking it game by game but I’m feeling a lot better and more comfortable on court. I’m getting there, I’m not miles away.’’
Patterson was approached by Melbourne in the off-season but United opted to go with DJ Kennedy as its import swingman.
“I spoke with their coach but I’m happy to be with Brisbane,’’ he said.
But the highly credentialed US import also intends to be remembered for what he does on the basketball court.
Patterson and his french bulldog Kobe created international headlines when they arrived in the country on November 1 and were stopped by border security after the pooch crossed the Pacific Ocean in the main cabin.
Kobe is back “chilling” with Patterson’s family in Los Angeles while the former Atlanta Hawk is finding his feet with the Bullets, giving ever-increasing glimpses of the class that took him to the NBA and made him a star in Italy and China.
After a quiet NBL debut against Adelaide just days after landing in Australia – and in hot water - the small forward last weekend had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists against Perth followed by 11 points, seven steals, five rebounds and five assists against New Zealand.
Heading into today’s match-up with reigning NBL champion Melbourne United in Melbourne, the 27-year-old said he can live with the notoriety of the customs drama but wants to also attract some attention for helping Brisbane become a force in the NBL.
“Yeah, I’m fine with all that (dog drama). It’s cool,’’ Patterson said.
“I just wanted to come down here and play my best basketball and help the Bullets win games. That’s the plan. That’s the only goal and it’s not changing.
“There’s no individual agendas. We have the one goal and I’m looking forward to continuing down that path with the Bullets.
“He (Kobe) is in LA right now. He is all good. He is chilling out and relaxing, enjoying the weather.’’
Patterson has not been putting his feet up.
Eager to get back into peak shape after not playing for two months since his stint in China ended, he has been the first player into the gym every morning.
All three of his NBL matches have ended with last-second, matchwinning shots so Patterson wants to be at his sharpest when games are on the line.
“It’s been crazy. It shows the gap between all the teams is so close. You’ve got to bring it every night and you cannot take a single second off in any game … that competitiveness and grind is what you want,’’ he said.
“The coaches have eased me into things appropriately and I’m getting the hang of our offence and style of play. I’m getting back into that game shape, too.
“I’m taking it game by game but I’m feeling a lot better and more comfortable on court. I’m getting there, I’m not miles away.’’
Patterson was approached by Melbourne in the off-season but United opted to go with DJ Kennedy as its import swingman.
“I spoke with their coach but I’m happy to be with Brisbane,’’ he said.