Patty Mills: "'This is amazing, it's such a good feeling''

Here's the money quotes:

''This is amazing, it's such a good feeling,'' Mills said.

''It feels like I finally got the gorilla off my back.

''It was a massive gorilla and there were times when I thought I wasn't going to make it, but finally I've got rid of it and now I just want to be part of the team.''

Basketball Australia's Bill Baxter says although Mills is a talented player, luck was definitely on his side.

"He's done the unthinkable, he's gone to the preseason as an untested rookie, he's gotten injured in the first practice session he hasn't been on court since and today the Trail Blazers signed him to a two-year deal for just under a million US dollars," he said.

about 1 month ago mas1983 9 comments 0 recs |

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Mills isn't gonna be able to help us much this season, but I still think this is the best long term move.

by dario argento on Oct 24, 2009 2:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He will spend a lot of time in Idaho according to KP

by Norsktroll on Oct 24, 2009 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Same thing was said by the Australian Press

I’m curious where KP said that. Got a link?

by mas1983 on Oct 24, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think during the Aldridge press conference when asked about Mills

by Norsktroll on Oct 24, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We just signed Andre Mills?

or Patty Miller?

Andre to Roy alley oops = 24-7 = All day every day

by dpnim on Oct 24, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

their just wanted to Push the Pooh

by riccc_l on Oct 24, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's hard for me to "get excited" about Mills' excitement

on the one hand, you have to feel good about the human interest story, the guy is realizing his dream to play in the NBA

but on the other hand, he’s almost like the red-headed stepchild that was “taken in” out of family obligation. KP and Nate wanted Patty to play in Europe when he was drafted. But his foot injury delayed his signing and it pitched the basketball side of the organization against the owner—and Mills won out. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a real contributer to this team, at most he’s a placeholder. Practice fodder.

I suppose that’s not different than Diogu or Ruffin last year, but the way he got his job was like “guerilla” warfare. Mills won the war of “roster attrition” without firing a shot in anger (and that may be the best-case scenario from his perspective, because if it was left up to his on-court merits, a healthy MIlls might not have won the #15 spot, this summer/fall)

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 24, 2009 6:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The one game i saw him play I was pretty impressed

the best guards the US team had looked slow

by southern oregon on Oct 24, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw the same game (Beijing, Australia against team USA)

The main thing that concerns me about Mills is that while he can penetrate well, especially in an open-court situation, he has trouble finishing (scoring at the basket in traffic) and he doesn’t have the court vision to make passes to his teammate that will lead to easy baskets

That, plus he’ll be a defensive liability against just about every NBA guard he faces

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 25, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs