Nate Patrick's favourite NBL Oz Gaming moments

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Australian 2K League commentator Nate Patrick sat down with NBL Media to discuss his favourite moments from the season.

After a successful debut season in the NBA 2K League, where NBL Oz Gaming historically made all four Stages, Australian 2K League commentator Nate Patrick sat down with NBL Media to discuss his favourite moments from the season.

Watching the team from its inception and witnessing the ANZ 2K scene grow over many years, Patrick saw the potential in NBL Oz Gaming’s inaugural NBA 2K League appearance.

To say he was impressed by NBL’s efforts is an understatement.

“I think making their first finals campaign, when all the haters were out in force to get started. Bottom of the power rankings, then of course, everyone comes around and says 'Nah they were the top dogs for me',” Patrick said.

“The reactions from the team and coach Mootyy, the whiteboard, every time they used the hashtag #DownUnderdogs. Making that first final and setting that tone, getting a lot of people prepared for what was about to go down, and then the showing up continuing throughout.”

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NBL Oz Gaming’s inaugural player Harry ‘HarryVZN’ Spierings made quite the impression on Patrick during his rookie season.

The 22-year-old point guard made his first overseas trip to Washington to start his career and was a star in the making.

“I felt like we had to wait a bloody long while to be quite honest. I spoke to Mootyy and he was very upfront about what he thought his best team was for 3v3,” he explained.

“Particularly down under, the interest went to another level when Harry finally got to make his debut. All the ANZ people, everyone who's just heard of him or played alongside him whether it was Rec to be quite honest.

“Everyone tuned in. It was wild just to see the 2K League finally take a hold down under.”

Patrick was extremely impressed with Harry’s work ethic. The Australian commentator mentioned when he called games, he always saw the NBL point-guard, Harry, practising and preparing hours before their games.

His determination to improve in just his first season stood out to Patrick, who explained that Harry had one of the highest assist-to-turnover ratios of any guard in the league – almost unheard of for a rookie player.

“All the hour’s Harry spent before anyone else in the league, practising ahead of games when it was on stage or not. I was up here at 3 am in Australia, preparing for the day ahead on broadcast, and you have a look at the cameras and it is literally only Harry sitting there getting ready,” Patrick explained.

“The team really exemplified NBL values and Aussie values. And I think that's the loveliest part of the entire season for me.”