The advancements Patty Mills has made during his nearly two years in the NBA aren’t reflected in the box scores of the Portland Trail Blazers.
His statistical impact has improved from insignificantly low to slightly low, occasionally punctuated by a few standout performances.
However, he now feels a sense of belonging in the NBA.
Currently, Mills is a consistent member of the team’s rotation, often being the first or second player to come off the bench. When injuries affected the team this season, his playing time significantly increased, contrasting his own injury-plagued 2009 season.
Mills attributes his growth to the connection he feels with his teammates off the court.
“This year, for some reason, the guys on the team have connected and responded on a different level,” Mills shares about his fellow players in Portland.
“And from what I’ve heard, that’s a rare occurrence in the NBA.
“Once you manage everything off the court, and everyone enjoys each other’s company, it improves your performance on the court.
“I was having an amazing time; we were all bonding and enjoying ourselves together.
“I think that was a pivotal moment. I truly love being here now.”
While basketball is fundamentally a team sport, there’s no denying that individuals are frequently acknowledged – whether rightly or wrongly – for securing victories singlehandedly.
Recall Michael J. Fox’s Teen Wolf, who effortlessly led his high school to victory with a selfish style of play – the challenge was integrating his supernatural abilities with regular players.
No one argues that the NBA operates on an unequal footing, hence it holds significance for players when a group genuinely connects and forms friendships.
“I believe we’ve moved past being just teammates; we’re more than that now,” Mills passionately asserts.
“We’re genuinely friends – that’s how we perceive ourselves outside of the game.
“It’s a topic we’ve actually discussed among ourselves.
However, circumstances in the NBA change rapidly for both better and worse, leaving Mills’s future uncertain.
Presently, he is under a one-year contract (earning slightly less than $US1 million for the 2010-11 season), but a near-certain lockout is on the horizon as the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement with its players expires on June 30.
The NFL serves as a living example of what such a situation implies for players, with many being forced into public gyms for offseason training due to restricted access to team facilities.
Since the NBA’s offseason is significantly shorter than that of the NFL, Mills recognizes that he will require more than just regular access to weights and cardio machines. What would his response be if the NBL came calling?
“I certainly wouldn’t dismiss it. Of course, I’d need to evaluate my options comprehensively. Whether it’s Australia, Europe… what I can say is during this lockout, I must continue playing basketball, wherever that may take me.”
Numerous factors will influence his decisions. However, the paramount consideration for him is maintaining his fitness during the lockout.
At present, Mills is preparing for his first substantial contribution in a playoff series, with hopes of helping Portland escape the first round since 2000 and potentially contend for a title that has evaded the franchise since 1977.
by Buford Balony
