Mills’ Track Record: The Stats Behind the Hawks’ Newest Addition
The Atlanta Hawks have summoned their latest cavalier, guard Patty Mills, once a starry warrior for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The winds of change bring TyTy Washington Jr., forwards Usman Garuba and Rudy Gay, along with a future second-round pick to the Thunder, as revealed by today’s official announcements.
Mills, a fourteen-season NBA gladiator, is well-acquainted with the thrill and grind of the league, having his name announced in 860 games and taking his stand among the starting five in 107 bouts. Mills’ basketball odyssey ignited with the Portland Trail Blazers (2009-11), transitioned into a decade-long saga in San Antonio (2011-21), and evolved with a two-year stint in Brooklyn (2021-23). No matter the jersey he donned, Mills made his presence felt, netting an average of 9.0 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in a fraction over twenty minutes of game time.
The 2022-23 season marked Mills’ time under the Brooklyn Nets’ banner, where his unwavering commitment echoed across 40 games. The preceding year, Mills etched a towering milestone, drizzling 227 three-pointers – a downpour rivaled by only 17 other players in the league that season and just one more in the Nets’ illustrious chronicles.
The Alamo City became a second home to Mills, who wore the Spurs jersey for ten seasons and etched his name as the seventh player with the most game appearances in the franchise’s history, totaling 665. Embedded deep within the heart of San Antonio, Mills became a game-changer, hooping an average of 9.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per duel and driving the Spurs’ chariot to the playoffs for eight out of his ten seasons there, including the triumphant march to the 2014 NBA Finals.
Embarking as a Trail Blazer, the 2009 NBA Draft saw Mills chosen as the 55th pick, making waves in his first two seasons with averages of 5.1 points and 1.5 assists over 74 encounters. Storming into the playoffs in 12 out of his 14 seasons, Mills’ averages of 6.7 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 rebounds across 95 games prove he was not one to be overshadowed when the spotlight of postseason fell upon him.
On home turf in Australia, Mills has been a stalwart for the national team since 2007, helming the ship to a monumental victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where they clinched a bronze – the first podium finish in Australia’s Olympic men’s basketball history.
In the latest chapter of the Hawks’ roster chronicle, Rudy Gay was scooped up from Utah on July 7, while Usman Garuba and TyTy Washington Jr. were reeled in from Houston on July 8. The NBA dance continues, and the Atlanta Hawks have just pivoted. The spotlight now turns to the rest of the court.
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