The return of Patty Mills to the Spurs is now official

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Patty Mills is back. The Spurs announced on Friday that the team officially re-signed Mills. If you haven’t picked up a pattern the last couple of days, the Spurs did not release specifics of the contract.

“Patty came in and impressed us from the moment he joined us last season,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. “He gives us some added depth at the guard position and we are excited to have him back in San Antonio.”

As Graydon and I talked about on this week’s podcast, I think the Spurs not having a reliable, true backup point guard hurt more than most of us thought when TJ Ford retired. While Mills had some familiarity with the offense through his time with San Antonio assistant coach Brett Brown and the Australian National Team, it obviously wasn’t enough to earn Coach Pop’s trust come playoff time.

Having a full training camp, preseason and long regular season chock full of minutes backing-up Tony Parker should be enough to get Patty comfortable in his role with the team and his place in Pop’s system. Where Nando De Colo, expected to be announced soon, and Gary Neal fit into that system this season, remains to be seen. But that’s a conversation for another day.

We also get to continue the battle of who can be the better bench cheerleader between Patty and Stephen Jackson. Part II: This Time It’s Personal.

 

  • http://twitter.com/sstewart1617 Sam Stewart

    Game day bala! Game day.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1183770625 Jon Richey

    I really liked Patty Mills in the short time I saw him. I see him as the back up point, with De Colo as lipping back and forth as third point, and Gary Neal finally released from the burden of having to pass (sigh), so now he can shoot to his heart’s content (yay)

  • http://twitter.com/blanchard48moh Jesse Blanchard

    You’re forgetting the “How Many Shots Can Patty Mills Jack in the Last Five Minutes” game Andrew. Very important.

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    You’re right, how could I have neglected to mention that? Always take the over, kids.

  • Hank

    Completely different topic, but what are the chances the Spurs look into Luis Scola for next season? I don’t think they can afford him, but you never know. Another big man that got released last week was Darko Milic. Any chance the Spurs look at him?

  • ThatBigGuy

    I think Mills will win Cheerleader of the year. His clapping form is poor man’s Brian Cardinal, but his patented jump off the bench to hand out high fives while waving a towel trumps Jax’s scream and chest bump the guy who just drained the last 3 ball move.

    Plus Mills has a ridiculous D-Fence chantability upside.

  • JAX

    Ive been following Mills closely for years (I’m an Aussie) He can really score in bunches when he’s on his game and is as quick as any other PG in the league (Chris Paul has admitted this when he had to guard Mills in the 2008 Olympics, the then 19 yr old Mills really carved USA up that game. you tube it.) Anyway what I’m trying to say is if he can play in control, make good decisions and limit turnovers he will be a awesome back up to TP.

  • http://twitter.com/TexasIcon anthony

    like this sign n danny green back like the moves so far by the Spurs just need a big who can help Ducan trade splitter n blair or Bonner to get a big we need. Maybe try to get B.lopez or D.Cousions for all three of dem

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