This month he's been getting consistent minutes and is starting to really contributing, even late in games. In the last five games: 12.0 PPG 51 FG% 22 MPG Tonight who was our PG during crunch time?
His DRTG is 109, which I think is not good. I'm not much of a defensive stats guy. His opponents at PG have a PER of 13.5. Don't know if that means much.
Kevin Pelton had some interesting things to say about Damo ... er ... Patty. http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1395 I think Patty is fine as a kind of microwave-lite scoring point guard off the bench, but he's such a liability on defense and does so little to set others up that I have a really hard time getting too excited about him posting some good shooting numbers.
While their games might be similar, Mills is about as far from Stoudamire in personality as it is possible to get.
A couple of thoughts... This is what can happen when a bench player gets consistent minutes and has a defined role and plays just one position. No disrespect to Nate, but all his experimenting and not giving players consistent minutes and better defined roles at one position makes it more difficult for the player to grow and be effective. This is a teaching point for Nate. As to his defensive "stats", he seems to do a pretty good job. He's not a real strong player and he can be out muscled by other PG's, but it's the one and only position on the court where that doesn't matter as much. Due to his size, other PG's can shoot over the top of him, and that's a negative. He seems to harass other PG's very well, gets his steals and tips balls away... Overall, I'd say his defense is average and good enough for a reserve PG. I like his game and his attitude.
I think that a lot of what is happening is Nate is now looking to optimize Aldridge on the court, and the fact is, Miller can't hit an outside shot for spacing. The difference between Aldridge dumping a shitload of points on teams is whether he is double and triple teamed every play. The other night when Wesley hit all those 3's, it was because they were doubling Aldridge and cheating a 3rd player for baseline help. Wesley hit his shots, and the other team had to relent. Next thing you know Aldridge rolls up a ton of points. When we got Miller we knew what we were getting. A vet who has a solid game but can't hit an outside shot to save his life. Every playoff series Miller has played in he has had a good couple of games until the opposition turned him into a permiter shooter. Against Miami, we weren't stopping them from scoring the closing part of the game, and Miller playing PG against Arroyo or Chalmers wasn't going to change that, because the ball was in the hand of James and Wade. Miami did goad Mills into one bad switch I saw to end the game.
IT seems relevant to me. Damon felt he was an All-Star and wanted to score 20+ a night. Patty knows his role and just shoots when he's got an open shot.
Patty is a nice 2nd or 3rd string player, but he's still more of a shooting guard than a PG. I think the change in the rotation largely has to do with discussions we're having about moving Miller and not getting a PG back. This is an audition to see how painful the rest of the season may be if we part with 'Dre. Like Armon--who had a few nice games before he was scouted--I expect Patty to regress a bit in the next 10-15 games. Then he'll have to respond.
He's been playing for over a month now. The word for the most part is probably out there. Besides, you can scout him, but that doesn't change the fact he's lightning quick and can shoot the ball/score. Take away the shot and he's quick enough to get by you. Take away the drive and he can shoot. There aren't many PGs in the NBA that are as fast as Pat $tacks. I think he's a nice little backup PG. He gives the team some scoring and he's shown he can make the good pass as well. Not a terrible guy to have on your team.
There's a difference between people knowing who you are and being scouted. You're correct that quickness is a weapon, but you're talking offense and mostly about him being a shooting guard. Scouting also has to do with how to defend other players on our team to limit Mills' effectiveness. There's also the issue of defense. Patty has physical limitations that can be exploited. Look, I like him too. I'm just saying that we shouldn't get our hopes up that he can be an effective starting PG if we trade 'Dre.
I see a lot of Eddie House in Mills, but Patty has a higher ceiling with his ability to handle the ball and get by people.
Patty Mills is a fine PG, not a SG. He's scoring a lot because THAT IS WHAT WE NEED OFF THE BENCH. Someone to fucking score the ball. As the PG, he realized that about 5 games ago and did what gives the team the best chance of winning- shoot the ball. He's the only guy on the bench who can create his own shot and the only who can shoot well consistently. As for his defense, it's better than he is given credit for. Name a PG who has lit him up recently. Can't think of one. Patty Mills should've taken the last shot of regulation last night. Go Blazers!
