Mills set to return for in-form Boomers

Updated June 14, 2012 17:22:31

On the back of a clean sweep in the series against China the Boomers have been boosted by the imminent return of Patty Mills from the NBA.

Mills will return to Australia following the elimination of his side San Antonio from the NBA finals and is set to join the Boomers camp ahead of the series in Victoria against Greece late this month.

Boomers coach Brett Brown, assistant at the San Antonio Spurs, was back in Perth on Wednesday night for the Boomers' 78-55 win over China to give Australia a 3-0 clean sweep in the series.

Daniel Kickert led all scorers with 20 points for the contest in Perth, while Julian Khazzouh added 16 points and Aron Baynes finished with 12 points.

For China, Sun Yue top-scored with 12 points, while Wang Zhizhi added nine points.

China started well, shooting at more than 50 per cent from the floor to lead 22-17 at the first break.

The turning point came in the second quarter as Chinese head coach Bob Donewald Jr was thrown out of the game after receiving two consecutive technical fouls by the referee.

Australia's Adam Gibson cashed in, scoring eight points in one play, thanks to the freethrows from the technicals, before knocking down a three-pointer off the in-bound play.

This ignited a 16-0 run, giving the Boomers a 10-point lead which they never relinquished.

"I think it's a great way to end this early camp to get three consecutive wins against a very aggressive team and for me personally to come back and see our guys again and see them play our structure again," Brown said after the match.

"It's been a good early period to get ready for such an important time-frame coming with London, so for me to start the campaign and preparation, it's been a positive."

Both sides will be strengthened for the Olympics.

Australian Boomers 78 (Kickert 20, Khazzouh 16) defeated China 55 (Yue 12, Zhizhi 9).

Tags: sport, basketball, olympics-summer, australia, wa, perth-6000

First posted June 14, 2012 13:23:39

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Boomer Mills to hit top form at Olympics

Updated June 12, 2012 17:54:21

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.

AAP

Tags: basketball, olympics-summer, sport, australia

First posted June 12, 2012 17:54:21

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Mills closing in on new NBA deal

Updated March 23, 2012 18:00:45

Australian point guard Patty Mills is on the verge of reigniting his NBA career, and could find himself thrust straight into action.

Mills is understood to have agreed to an in-principle deal with the San Antonio Spurs and a delay in getting a United States work visa is believed to be the only impediment.

It would be a huge move for the 23-year-old, who would link up with Australian national team coach Brett Brown at the Spurs, where he is an assistant.

Should the Spurs' move come off, Mills could find himself press-ganged straight into big minutes after number one point guard Tony Parker injured a hamstring in their win over Minnesota on Thursday.

With backup TJ Ford forced into retirement recently because of injury, the Spurs had to use players out of position to fill the role against the Timberwolves.

Star Argentine swingman Manu Ginobili shared duties at the point with shooting guard Gary Neal, and the pair will probably have first call on the role.

Sources have told the San Antonio Express-News that Mills is already listed on the Spurs roster, but cannot participate in team activities until his visa issue is settled.

Mills has been in career limbo since a deal with China's Xinjiang Flying Tigers late last year fell apart after the club accused him of faking injury - an allegation he strenuously denied.

His NBA club Portland Trail Blazers had a full roster and, after a protracted battle to get his clearance from China, the Blazers decided to renounce their rights to his contract.

That frees the way for Mills to join the Spurs, who are on track for the NBA play-offs.

Mills had spent two seasons with the Blazers, playing 74 NBA games.

The Spurs have had previous success with Australians, with Andrew Gaze part of their 1999 championship-winning side.

Mills has also been nominated for the Australian NBL rookie of the year award to be announced next week after he started the season at the Melbourne Tigers during the NBA lockout.

AAP

Tags: basketball, sport, united-states, australia

First posted March 23, 2012 18:00:45

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Mills to sign with San Antonio

Updated March 18, 2012 12:13:44

Patty Mills' NBA exile appears to be over, with San Antonio poised to sign the Australian free agent.

Mills, who started his career with Portland after being drafted in 2009, played in the NBL and China's Super Basketball League during this year's NBA lockout.

However, the 23-year-old remained contracted to the Xinjiang Flying Tigers when the NBA season started, meaning he was unable to return to the Trail Blazers.

When Xinjiang's season ended, FIBA gave the green light for Mills to return to the NBA.

There was more red tape for the Boomers star to cut through, as Portland did not have a roster spot available and he was unable to sign with a team until the Blazers renounced his rights.

That happened on Saturday and US website Yahoo! Sports reported on Sunday that San Antonio are finalising a contract agreement, citing league sources.

The point guard is expected to be confirmed as the Spurs' latest signing in the US on Sunday.

AAP

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states, australia

First posted March 18, 2012 12:11:56

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Mills rejoins NBA with Spurs

Updated March 28, 2012 11:29:51

Australian Boomers point guard Patty Mills is back in the NBA after signing with the San Antonio Spurs.

In a promising sign for the Boomers' London Olympics campaign, 23-year-old Mills will link up with Australian team coach Brett Brown, an assistant coach with the high-flying Spurs who are coming second in the NBA's western conference.

The Spurs announced they had signed Mills, a former back up player at the Portland Trail Blazers, after US work visa issues were resolved.

He fills the void left by point guard TJ Ford, who retired this month following another scare to his surgically-repaired spine.

But Mills could find himself pressed straight into action after the Spurs' number one guard Tony Parker injured a hamstring in their win over Minnesota last Thursday.

The Spurs said he would be in uniform on Tuesday night (1300 AEDT Wednesday) against the Phoenix Suns.

Mills's career had been in limbo since a deal with China's Xinjiang Flying Tigers fell apart in acrimonious circumstances late last year after the club accused him of faking injury - an allegation he strenuously denied.

Mills averaged 5.1 points and around 11 minutes a game in two seasons and 74 games with Portland.

His NBA club Portland Trail Blazers had a full roster and, after a protracted battle to get his clearance from China, the Blazers decided to renounce their rights to his contract, freeing the way for Mills to join the Spurs.

The Spurs have had previous success with Australian players, with Andrew Gaze part of their 1999 title-winning side.

Mills has also been nominated for the Australian NBL rookie of the year award - to be announced this week - after he started the season at the Melbourne Tigers during the NBA lockout.

AAP

Tags: basketball, sport, united-states

First posted March 28, 2012 11:29:51

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Less bench time for Mills in China

Updated December 05, 2011 16:14:39

Boomers point guard Patty Mills is optimistic his move to China will pay big dividends for Australia in the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics and pave the way for a return to the NBA.

Mills joined Xinjiang Flying Tigers, leaving NBL team Melbourne Tigers, last month on a deal reportedly worth upwards of $1 million before the NBA lock-out was resolved and a season start date set for Christmas Day.

Without an opt-out clause in his contract, Mills cannot return to the NBA until the end of the Chinese season in March.

His future with NBA team Portland Trail Blazers uncertain, Mills felt China was the best option and the bonus for Australia's Olympic campaign is his greatly increased court time as a starting player with the Flying Tigers.

Mills wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring a game-high 42 points in a 121-108 victory over Tianjin Rong in his team's most recent outing.

Agent Bruce Kaider says Mills "absolutely" retains the long-term goal of playing in the NBA.

"There were no guarantees in Portland. He would've had to go back there and fight for a spot and he may not have even been in Portland," Kaider said.

"He probably wouldn't have played the minutes he will in China.

"Certainly leading into London 2012 I think it's important for Patty and the Australian men's program that Patty is actually playing minutes and working on his game and developing his game."

Mills announced himself as an NBA talent when he helped Australia reach the quarter-finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and he was drafted by Portland in 2009.

Kaider is confident if the dynamic guard can continue his current form through until the Olympics in July, NBA scouts will again take notice.

"Beijing was his coming out Olympics where people got to see him and what he could do for the first time really at an international event at that level," Kaider said.

"I think London is going to be the evolution of Patty, where he's developed, how he can lead his team and how he can progress the Boomers beyond where they've been in the past.

"Without putting too much pressure on Patty, London is going to be a really important milestone for the next five years of his career."

AAP

Tags: basketball, sport, china

First posted December 05, 2011 15:39:04

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Mills leads Tigers past Kings

Updated October 07, 2011 22:52:44

Star Boomers guard Patty Mills announced his arrival to the NBL in style by leading Melbourne past Sydney 82-76 in the season opener at The Cage on Friday night.

Mills, who signed with the Tigers while the NBA lockout keeps his American team Portland off the court, scored a game-high 28 points, going 6-for-11 from three-point range and added three assists.

Fellow guard and former Gold Coast star Ayinde Ubaka scored 22 points on debut for Melbourne, while Tigers big man Cameron Tragardh had 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Kings, who learnt on Friday morning that NBA star Andrew Bogut would not be joining the club due to insurance issues, led by as much as 12 in the final quarter and looked to have it sewn up.

But Mills drained 3-of-5 from downtown in the last period, while Ubaka and Ron Dorsey added long-range points of their own, to drag the Tigers back into it.

Down 70-62 with 4:30 to play, a Tragardh put-back followed by an Ubaka lay-up began an onslaught that reclaimed the lead with a little over a minute remaining.

Melbourne completed a 33-17 final quarter to open its campaign with a fighting victory.

Sydney centre Julian Khazzouh had an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double to lead the visitors on the scoreboard, while Jerai Grant added 16.

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted October 07, 2011 21:30:47

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Mills takes on the Croatian defence

Australia's Patty Mills takes on Croatia's Dontaye Dominic Draper at the London Invitational tournament in London, England on August 18, 2011 (Getty Images: Julian Finney)

Tags: basketball, sport, england, united-kingdom

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Mills drives the Boomers forward

Patrick Mills of Australia drives past Mark Dickel of New Zealand during the first match between the Australian Boomers and the New Zealand Tall Blacks at State Netball Hockey Centre on September 7, 2011 in Melbourne.

Tags: basketball, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, new-zealand

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Blazers stand by Mills, Oden

Posted June 30, 2011 16:18:00

The Portland Trail Blazers have shown faith in Australian back-up guard Patty Mills and injury-prone centre Greg Oden, offering both players an offer to stay on their roster.

The qualifying offer means Mills and Oden become restricted free agents, so the Trail Blazers can match any offer made for the two by other teams in the off-season.

Boomers guard Mills, a Canberra product, starred for Saint Mary's College in California before being selected 55th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.

He has appeared in 74 games in his two seasons in Portland and has averaged 5.1 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

But despite Mills' limited output he has become a fan favourite in the Rose City.

Oden's offer is a one-year, $US8.8 million deal for the seven-foot centre who was selected with the first overall pick of the 2007 draft, but whose career has been derailed by injuries.

Knee surgeries shelved Oden for his entire rookie season and all of last season.

The 23-year-old has managed to play a total of just 82 games in four years with career averages of 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.

"We've stood behind Greg Oden every day since he became a Trail Blazer and that continues with today's announcement," Portland president Larry Miller said on the team's website.

"Despite the setbacks he's experienced, he continues to be resilient in working tirelessly on his rehabilitation. We're all very encouraged with not only his progress, but with his commitment and determination to return to the basketball court."

Portland also exercised its team options on back-up forward Luke Babbitt and guard Elliot Williams.

- ABC/Reuters

Tags: sport, basketball, australia, united-states

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Interview: Patty Mills

Published:Sunday, April 17, 2011 2:11 AESTExpires:Saturday, July 16, 2011 2:11 AEST

Australian Trail Blazers guard Patty Mills chatted to Grandstand's Tim Gavel before the first game of Portland's NBA playoff series against Dallas on Sunday morning (AEST).

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