-ABC.netBoomer Mills to hit top form at Olympics
Australia coach Brett Brown predicts the basketball career of Patty Mills will continue to soar after the star guard's successful stint at NBA powerhouse San Antonio Spurs.
Brown also believes Australian basketball will reap the benefits of Mills' sky-high confidence at the London Olympics.
Mills' journeyman career appeared at the cross-roads in January when his contract with Xinjiang was controversially terminated, with the Chinese club accusing him of faking a hamstring injury.
But a lifeline from San Antonio, where Brown is an assistant coach, has sparked a bright new chapter for Mills, with the former Portland guard hitting career-best form at the star-studded Spurs.
Mills nailed an impressive 27 points against Phoenix on April 25, before setting a new Australian single-game record with a 34-point haul against Golden State just one day later.
The 23-year-old was barely sighted during the play-offs as stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili returned to run the show, but Brown believed Mills' experience at the Spurs would prove to be career-defining.
"I think it resurrected his career," Brown said on Tuesday.
"He was caught at a cross-roads where he was in between leagues, he was in between teams.
"To be able to be brought in by such a great franchise like the Spurs and have the opportunity to again be with me ... it was a win on everyone's part.
"The Spurs were fortunate to have him, he was fortunate to have the Spurs and if you put your Boomers hat on, basketball in Australia will reap the benefits of he and I being able to be together.
"He experienced some great NBA performances.
"The relationships he shared with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and other internationals ... you can't put a price tag on that experience."
Mills, who has the option of playing on with the Spurs next season, has remained in San Antonio to work on his fitness and skills, meaning he will miss Wednesday night's third and final clash with China in Perth.
Australia leads the series 2-0, and Brown said he was looking forward to being thrust back into the hot seat after flying in from America on Monday following San Antonio's play-off exit at the hands of Oklahoma City.
"The disappointment of getting bumped out of the NBA play-offs was significant, but to have something as exciting as the preparation of the Olympic Games waiting for me makes it a little bit easier," Brown said.
2013 Draft Pick Wishlist:
Michael Carter-Williams
Australia captures the YouYi Games by sweeping China in a three game affair. Patrick Mills will return to play for the Boomers int the three game exhibition match against the Greek National Team.
2013 Draft Pick Wishlist:
Michael Carter-Williams
Never heard of coaching with this method, that's awesome, hahaOriginally Posted by CKR13
aim low, score high
Last edited by Mindozas; 06-22-2012 at 03:06 PM.
Because of his commitments as assistant coach to the Spurs, he had no other choice but to basically run the playbook through skype!
The Boomers take on a Greece A team tonight as part of their preparation for the Olympics.
It's actually Greece's B team. The A team is in South America.
Sorry that is what I mean (2nd team)
Am I right in saying this is basically an under 23's squad?
Yeah, I would equate it to something like Greece's version of Team USA's select team. They are pro players though. Almost all of the guys on the roster have been rotation players in the Greek League, and several of them have been rotation players in Eurocup. That's definitely not Euroleague level, but it's still solid.Sorry that is what I mean (2nd team)
Am I right in saying this is basically an under 23's squad?
So it should still be 3 good warm-up games for Australia.
Hi! Im doing profiles for every player in London for my blog, and I needed some help with some of the Boomers. I know the big names, but havent seen much of Adam Gibson and Peter Crawford. Could you please tell me some of his strenghts and weaknesses? THANKS!
Adam Gibson (PG/SG)- Known as a tough defender who is also a decent offensive player. On the Australian team he will be used for his defence and will not be relied on on the offensive end other than to hit open shots.
Peter Crawford (SG/SF)- A somewhat inconsistent player. When he is hot he doesn't miss, but he also has games where he really stuggles. Crawford is also a pretty good defender but stuggles to create his own shot and is a weak ball handler. Will play very limited minutes, he may be brought in when we are stuggling to hit threes.
Thanks a lot aussieasker... one last thing: what do you think will be the starting 5 for Australia? I was expecting Mills-Newley-Ingles-Nielsen-Andersen, but in the last games i´m seeing Mills-Ingles-Worthington-Nielsen-Andersen.
It's hard to know because Brett Brown has changed the starting lineup a lot this year. I don't know what's wrong with Maric, but if he's healthy I think it will be something like this:
Mills
Newley
Ingles
Andersen
Maric
I know Mills and Andersen will start but I'm not sure about the other three.
I think Newley has mostly played off the bench under Brett Brown.
Who would you personally choose for your Starting Five?
C: Anderson
F: Ingles
F: Barlow
G: Newley
G: Mills
I've chosen the following lads because of international/ European experience, versatility, shooting ability and speed.
I'm predicting that the Boomers will finish between 5th and 8th, however, being an Aussie I'd love to see them reach the semi-finals and have a crack at a medal.
"No hay poder en el mundo que pueda cambiar el destino"
-El Padrino
If Maric is fit I would have him ahead of DA
2013 Draft Pick Wishlist:
Michael Carter-Williams
Former New Zealand Breakers head coach Andrej Lemanis was named head coach of the national team. I remember him assuming the helm with the Breakers back in 2005 and helped several of New Zealand's national team, the tall blacks with their game. Now he is the coach of the Boomers. Fate tides to strange shores.
Joe Ingles (Barcelona) and Aaron Baynes (San Antonio Spurs) are reported to confirm their participation.
2013 Draft Pick Wishlist:
Michael Carter-Williams
Luc Longley joins the national team as an assistant of Andrej Lemanis.
2013 Draft Pick Wishlist:
Michael Carter-Williams
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
