Cut by the Hawks at the end of February, Patty Mills will have quickly rebounded since he was asked by Miami to finish the season. The Heat is a former opponent like no other for the Australian leader since it was notably through his 3-point baskets that he ended up sealing Miami's fate during Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals, validating the victory (4-1), in the form of revenge, for Spurs.
And from his first appearance in front of the local press, the veteran was treated to a flashback that he did not expect.
“It was ten years ago, I didn't think I would be asked this question now. I was hoping a decade would erase all this. But indeed, it was an important moment in my career”, did he declare before referring to the Heat title in 2013, which hurt Tim Duncan and his gang so much. “I’m still disgusted by what happened eleven years ago, so it goes both ways.”
A strong identity, similar to that of Spurs
Patty Mills, on the other hand, has already detected similarities between San Antonio, where he spent ten years, in the culture of winning and the identity of the Florida franchise embodied by an emblematic coach.
“Being in San Antonio for so long definitely prepared me for something like this. I just want to make the most of this opportunity, and be able to learn from such a coach and such honesty.”did he declare. “Even though it’s only been 24 hours, the weight of the culture that reigns here is very strong. It doesn't take long to figure it out. There are definitely things I'm used to as well. I hope this allows for a smooth transition. When we look at the two cultures and the success they have had and continue to have over the years, we realize that there is a culture here too and we are not throwing that word around. all the time without it having a deep meaning and deep roots.”
If Miami seemed to clearly need reinforcement at the back after the injury of Josh Richardsonthe role that Patty Mills will occupy at the end of the season remains to be determined.
“At this stage of my career, coming from a culture like this, from a winning environment, with a goal in mind, understanding the aspects and roles of each person to be able to achieve a common goal, I believe that all this constituted my backbone, in relation to where I come from and my qualities”he continued. “We’re going to have these conversations. But above all, I just want to be able to contribute, in terms of my personality, my professionalism, making sure I keep myself in the shape of a high-level athlete, that kind of thing. All these things that allowed me to get to where I am today.”
On the bench last night in the Heat's defeat against Dallas, Patty Mills did not come into play. He will also wear the number 88, the 8 already belonging to Jamal Cain.
| Patty Mills | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2009-10 | POR | 10 | 4 | 41.7 | 50.0 | 57.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.6 |
| 2010-11 | POR | 64 | 12 | 41.2 | 35.3 | 76.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 5.5 |
| 2011-12 | SAN | 16 | 16 | 48.5 | 42.9 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 10.3 |
| 2012-13 | SAN | 58 | 11 | 46.9 | 40.0 | 84.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.1 |
| 2013-14 | SAN | 81 | 19 | 46.4 | 42.5 | 89.0 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 10.2 |
| 2014-15 | SAN | 51 | 16 | 38.1 | 34.1 | 82.5 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 6.9 |
| 2015-16 | SAN | 81 | 21 | 42.5 | 38.4 | 81.0 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 8.5 |
| 2016-17 | SAN | 80 | 22 | 44.0 | 41.4 | 82.5 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 9.5 |
| 2017-18 | SAN | 82 | 26 | 41.1 | 37.2 | 89.0 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 10.0 |
| 2018-19 | SAN | 82 | 23 | 42.5 | 39.4 | 85.4 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 9.9 |
| 2019-20 | SAN | 66 | 23 | 43.1 | 38.2 | 86.6 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 11.6 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 68 | 25 | 41.2 | 37.5 | 91.0 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 10.8 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 81 | 29 | 40.8 | 40.0 | 81.4 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 11.4 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 40 | 14 | 41.1 | 36.6 | 83.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 6.2 |
| 2023-24 | ATL | 19 | 11 | 37.3 | 38.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.7 |
| Total | 879 | 20 | 42.5 | 38.9 | 85.4 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 8.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
