Patrick Mills

He's got great scoring instincts and has a good international body of work where he proved quite a bit in the Olympics, and I do think he'd make a fine late 1st rounder. I wouldn't really consider him at #23 (I think there's too many flaws to consider him here), but at #31 he could be a nice pick and a potential steal.

Mills can potentially thrive in the league as a push-the-pace scoring guard, and in particular he's a really aggressive scorer who piles up the three pointers and field goal attempts. His game might actually look better in the up-tempo NBA, where he's playing along better players and shots might come more freely, so that's definitely points in his favor. His stats are actually quite similar to Aaron Brooks as a senior, and he's only a sophomore so he has more time to develop.

But I do have several reservations--while he's jet quick like Brooks to make up for his 6'0" height, he's only at 33% at college three pointers and doesn't get to the line much at all for a point guard, so he wasn't very efficient when he was doing his scoring. Also, he has one of the worst assists/field goal attempt at his position, so his ability to rack up assists is deceiving--he needs a high usage rate to do so. That's why, as currently comprised, he's not quite like Brooks--Brooks was a far far better three point shooter and showed a fairly better assist/field goal attempt ratio coming into the draft, so Mills needs to improve upon this in his transition to the NBA--the three point shot will likely be a big part of his game (it already comprises 50% of his shot attempts in college) and he needs to show that he's at least a decent passer as well.

But again, I think he'll pull through--he didn't have the best teammates at St. Mary's (except for Omar Samhan), he's a smart/heady player, he's proven himself at international venues, he can really really steal the ball, he's still very young, and most importantly, he protected the ball well (had a low turnover rate). I think he'll at least be a decent role player in time, sort of in the Aaron Brooks mold, as he'll improve his three point shot and passing. But with those two in question still, not quite worth the #23. #31 is optimal if we really want him as a push-the-pace PG, but reality I think he'll be drafted somewhere in between (like Brooks was).
 
Last edited:
I am a big fan of Mills. I really like his quickness and the leadership he showed in the games I watched this season. I really felt his shooting percentage was hurt this season because other teams just keyed their defenses on him and almost ignored the rest of the team.

I know a lot of people are bothered by his height, but I am not. One thing I have learned over the years is that height is not a huge issue at the PG position. If you are a good PG, height won't make much of a difference.
 
I've been a fan of Mills all year long. I'm not that worried about his shooting. he has good form and basicly, he was St. Mary's. I lost track of how many passes he made to teammates under the basket who missed easy shots. I guarantee you that if he had played with good players his assist totals would have been much better.

I also think that his overall shooting percentage was affected by the wrist injury on his shooting hand. He just wasn't the same player when he came back. If you watched him play in the olympics, he certainly held his own against the best players in the world, and he was more of a pass first pt on the Aussie team.
 
I am selfish. I want Mills to go back to school

First off, I am a Saint Marys season ticket holder. Mills teammates were pretty talented. Second, Mills stats are deceiving. The weakest part of his game on offense is finishing around the basket. His shot is money. There are many reasons for his low shooting percentage but he will be a great spot up shooter in the NBA. He would be perfect for the Princeton offense. Also, he is the type of person that any organization would be lucky to be associated with. I hope he stays in college one more year to really put SMC on the map.
 
i like mills he shot alot because he had to cause sm didnt have much else, with his quickness he will force the defense to collapse getting others open looks. maybe with the 2nd 1st rounder if hes around @ 31 for sure.
 
Back
Top