Wes Unseld
In his rookie season with the Bullets, Patterson averaged 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds, averaging four minutes in 29 games. He played under Coach Gene Shue and alongside Hall of Fame inductees Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes. The Bullets won the Central Division with a record of 52-30 and were eliminated by the eventual NBA Champion New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Patterson played sparingly in the playoffs.