After some dominant performances in the Olympics Patty Mills has embraced his expanded role in the San Antonio offense, seeing his stats increase in every major category.
With ageing point guard Tony Parker getting close to retirement it may not be long before Patty is unleashed in a starting role for the Spurs.
It was clear to all who tuned in to the Olympic coverage that Mills was a step above his Boomers teammates, as he more than held his own against the best pros from around the globe.
Under the tutelage of five-time Championship Coach Greg Popovich, Patty has blossomed into a well rounded scoring machine who can it light it up from outside or use his rare speed to cut drive through the defence.
Having already won a championship in 2014, Mills is putting together a strong case to be considered the greatest Aussie basketballer of all time. After being an afterthought in the 2009 NBA Draft (he was the sixth last selection) Patty has worked incredibly hard to compete against the best athletes in the world.
Now the hard work is paying off for the boy from Canberra.
Some may argue that Luc Longley’s three championships – which were largely won on Michael Jordan’s shoulders – and Andrew Bogut’s No. 1 draft placing and consistent career trump Mills’ achievements. However, Mills certainly has a case.
When all is said and done I think we will look back and call Patty the greatest of them all – that is, at least until Ben Simmons retires.
Who do you think is the greatest Australian basketballer of all time?
Johnno
Guest
Hay can you do a best ever import player who you think is e.g. Leroy Loggins/Cal Bruton/Terry Dozier and many more e.g. big Derrick Polk and others/Rocky Smith/Al Green. Some of the early NBL imports were getting lots of good stats before some stats were being made e.g. Cal Bruton, also 3-point line only came in to basketball in NBL/FIBA in 1984 I think. Or a best ever import starting 5/or 12 man squad? What would be fascinating would be a random best ever import side 1980-2016 vs best boomers side 1980 vs 2016.
BrainsTrust
Guest
The stat was gathered probably using whatever games they had footage of , 120 of them. The suspicion would be that there were more blocks in earlier games. As far as the free throws, Wilts team might average about 0.43 on field goals with him on 0.5. That means firsty if WIlt has the ball fouling him is directly equivalent to the chance of him scoring. For the remaining 0.5 there is a 30% chance of getting it back so thats equivalent to 0.67, If you have 0% chance of getting a rebound off a free throw that would be 0.5 which is Wilts free throw percentage. Being more realistic if its about 10% of rebound off free throws its still about 0.55.
Te Rangatira
Guest
I didn't give Bogut his dues....He is the best Australian player imo....injuries robbed him of putting up the numbers that would've suggested Nba greatness in the pure sense... As for Irving...I don't really look at him as being fair dinkum...but if you want to claim him all good...
Johnno
Guest
Bogut is ahead of Longley for mine, but the gap is very even. Bogut just offers more on offence, the guy can shoot 3's and is 7-foot, that's Dirk Nowitski style. He's quite physical to(not as strong as Longley) Longley was underrated I rate him though.
Mushi
Guest
Its best ever so to penalise Bogut for being on the decline is like saying Wilt isn't any good because he's dead. The most potential probably lies with the #1 draft pick and the best current player born in Oceania is Irving
Mushi
Guest
Sorry my bad just realised you meant to say "uncredible number of blocks"
Mushi
Guest
So based on an unverified selective sample he was a monster. Great based on some games hasan whiteside averages 10+ blocks a game. Greatest. Centre. Ever. Even assuming a 0% rebound rate wilt shooting free throws all game would be more effective than the average offence of the teams he played for. He isn't considered the greatest because, rightly or wrongly, his teams didn't win as much as russells and he was known as a stat chaser.
OJP
Guest
'Nick Collinson for example wouldn’t come to the NBL and score 40 ppg.' but think of the 'intangibles' he'd bring Swampy !
Ants32
Roar Rookie
Gaze is still the best for me. Though we've had plenty of talents who could've made it in the NBA, but never went/got there. I think you're missing a bit of psychology about the guys who "don't make it in the NBA" and come here as imports and do well. Some even (almost) dominate. You must remember they have blown their big chance in the "majors" and have to perform (and brilliantly) if they are to ever get another chance. Suddenly they are doing all the hard yards and taking the extra training that they hadn't (when they got to the NBA) because they got by, back in college or high school, on sheer talent and youthful ability. This is the second chance everyone dreams of. :/
BrainsTrust
Guest
If I knew the number of blocks I would say it. There is a figure of 8 blocks per game based on some games. I think the reason for fouling is because you get even better odds on getting the rebound after a missed free throw than in general play and the advantage with Will was if he was at the free throw line the strongest rebounder was out.
Te Rangatira
Guest
Bogut is on the decline and Patti Mills is a bench player....if we were to cosnider the best player out of Oceania....then Steven Adams has the most potential to fulfill that spot
Mushi
Guest
I'm taking bogut over the bench guard. He's the only one that was the best player on an NBA team or make an all nba team.
Mushi
Guest
Gee you must be both old and very well travelled in the US of A to know how many blocks wilt had as they didnt record blocks during his career. Also the FT% thing is a bit overstated as the effective fg% on fouled shots is still bloody efficient scoring before factoring getting into the penalty earlier and restricting your opponents bench rotations. Fouling every possesion would be one of the least effective defences, not just because you'd probably have to forfeit before half time.
Johnno
Guest
Bradke played a bit of NBA to.
Swampy
Guest
He would struggle to average 40 because the games are much shorter. Gaze averaged 40 a couple of times but in 48 minute games. Just because you're in the NBA doesn't mean you are one of the 360 best players in the world. There are guys who haven't made it to an NBA roster but are better than the 9, 10, 11, 12 players on a roster. Those spots are filled with role players with specific skill sets for limited minutes or guys with potential higher ceilings. Nick Collinson for example wouldn't come to the NBL and score 40 ppg.
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Peak Bradke was quite an athlete. I remember him declining a lot towards the end of his career when his knees played up. Very good player though.
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
I would've thought the same about Mills a couple of years ago but I think he's really stepped up his game recently. He was a go-to scorer at the Olympics and has taken that form into this season. He used to be a bit reckless but now he's learning to pick his spots. His speed allows him to get an open shot whenever he wants, so he's a lot more patient. I'd love to see his minutes increase just to see what his ceiling actually is as an NBA player.
Robert Smith
Guest
I don't want to knock Gaze too much. He was an outstanding player from juniors right through many years in the NBL. He was better than most of the imports who played here. And in international basketball there were few in his league. I agree with the comment that international players did not really get a chance in the NBA then. But he had some exposure in 1 year of college plus some time with Washington & Spurs. It takes some good luck or timing for an international player to make it in the NBA. After 2 ordinary years in Portland Mills could easily have been done there and consider Ingles path to being where he is.
BrainsTrust
Guest
If Gaze is on the floor you need four others to get back quickly, playing Longley and Gaze together is not ideal. Bradke was a great athlete and I can remember how many times he would defend the fast break. PLaying Bogut and Longley together with Gaze would be bizzare, you would need a zone and the opposition would run rings around them. Longley worked at the Bulls because they had so many good athletes, and he brought the bulk.
Swampy
Guest
Gaze was an awful defender, no question. Never liked the weight room either. Unless you are a top draft pick you need to fall into the right situation in the NBA. There are 1000's that don't make it just because the situation didn't fit the player. Gaze had Steve Kerr on the bench in front of him. Wasn't a good situation for Gaze in reality. Mills has carved out a niche at the Spurs and opportunity has arisen as Parker has declined in health and ability. The Spurs have never really addressed their need for a better back court. In another situation Mills might not see as many minutes - say like if he was at Phoenix or Houston or the Lakers.