It just sort of occurred to me that Patty Mills has been on the Spurs for a long time. Eight years! I must be turning into one of those people who’s caught off guard by the passing of time, because it seems like it wasn’t that long ago that Mills was an ironic towel-waving mascot for the Blazers.
Those times of Mills’ career are long past. He’s been a reliable three-point-shooting combo guard for some championship-contending teams, some not-quite-championship-contending teams, and then whatever the last few seasons’ teams have been. With Tony Parker’s and Manu Ginobili’s departures, he’s also the longest-tenured Spur currently on the team…by a lot. The next oldest in LaMarcus Aldridge, who joined in the 2015-16 season (Mills joined in the 2011-12 season).
I think the main benefit of this for Mills is he gets to boss other players around now. I’m sure we don’t see it in front of the media or on the court, but you just know that when they’re all sitting on the team plane, Mills is giving everybody the rundown on how the last game went, as well as handing some rookie his personal shopping list for Bed Bath and Beyond (hint: the list is nothing but towels). Mills’ job security is through the roof so he can do whatever he wants. If he wants to be a Spur for life I’m sure they’ll let him do that, or if he wants the arena to pump Australian pop hits from the early 90’s, I’m sure they’ll make it happen.
Please make it happen Patty.