Excited for Patty Mills!

**benfti** · 03-26-2012

the type of guy who will break out of warm ups to tackle the other teams mascot

**Darkwaters** · 03-26-2012

I'm really hopeful for Patty Mills. Hes a guy that might turn into a real asset.

I've seen a number of other "fan favorites" that didn't turn out so well. Matt Bonner was beloved in Toronto and had some fans follow him down when he got traded here. More vocal was the Beno Udrih crew that thought he was so wonderful.

Both of those players caused much angst to this team. Patty, don't be one of those guys.

**benfti** · 03-26-2012

Originally Posted by Darkwaters

I'm really hopeful for Patty Mills. Hes a guy that might turn into a real asset.

I've seen a number of other "fan favorites" that didn't turn out so well. Matt Bonner was beloved in Toronto and had some fans follow him down when he got traded here. More vocal was the Beno Udrih crew that thought he was so wonderful.

Both of those players caused much angst to this team. Patty, don't be one of those guys.

I think/hope that a lot of the issues with those guys was their ability to transition into Popovich basketball.

I think/hope that Mills time with Brett Brown running SAS sets will go a long way into easing that transition.

I think/hope that Brown himself is acutely aware of what is required in Mills to have him slot in so he can provide his best for us right from the outset.

**Spursfan092120** · 03-26-2012

I like his style, but unfortunately I don't see him making the playoff roster. By the time he gets over here and gets in with the team, it'll be too late to trust him in the playoffs. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think Pop is going to put him in there.

**100%duncan** · 03-26-2012

When will he play? Any updates?

**benfti** · 03-26-2012

Originally Posted by Spursfan092120

I like his style, but unfortunately I don't see him making the playoff roster. By the time he gets over here and gets in with the team, it'll be too late to trust him in the playoffs. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think Pop is going to put him in there.

I agree with you, its a big ask, but he may see the odd spot minute because he does bring in a decent long range shot off the bench. Alah Steve Kerr

**FuzzyLumpkins** · 03-26-2012

Dentmon is getting 15 mins a night as it stands now. We have no true backup point. Mills should get a chance to play with the grind as it is down the stretch. Everyone plays on this team so he will have more than 15 games to get a look.

**Obstructed_View** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by Spursfan092120

I like his style, but unfortunately I don't see him making the playoff roster. By the time he gets over here and gets in with the team, it'll be too late to trust him in the playoffs. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think Pop is going to put him in there.

No such thing anymore.

**KINGFISHER** · 03-27-2012

**KINGFISHER** · 03-27-2012

Please add me to the list of new Spurs fans due to the signing of Patty Mills. The Spurs not only picked up a handy young back up pg, but they just added another 20 odd million fans from down under to go with.

Oh, you'll need to get used to this -

**100%duncan** · 03-27-2012

^ as long as he keeps on hitting it

**benfti** · 03-27-2012

and the word 'bala'

**AusSpursFan** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by KINGFISHER

Please add me to the list of new Spurs fans due to the signing of Patty Mills. The Spurs not only picked up a handy young back up pg, but they just added another 20 odd million fans from down under to go with.

Oh, you'll need to get used to this -

always was, always will be a Spurs fan

**Darkwaters** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by FuzzyLumpkins

Dentmon is getting 15 mins a night as it stands now. We have no true backup point. Mills should get a chance to play with the grind as it is down the stretch. Everyone plays on this team so he will have more than 15 games to get a look.

Mills will undoubtedly log a considerable number of minutes during the regular season. Of that I have little doubt. But once the playoffs hit that will change. Manu won't be taking back-to-backs off anymore and the whole mood will be different.

**OZspurs** · 03-27-2012

any news about Mills? I heard he is having some issues to get signoff doc from the China Bball club he used to play for.

**benfti** · 03-27-2012

work visa into the US, should be cleared any day now.

**keywester** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by OZspurs

any news about Mills? I heard he is having some issues to get signoff doc from the China Bball club he used to play for.

I'm not surprised to hear that there may be a China link to Patty's visa delay. Based on the cir stances of his departure from China, I doubt the CBA would go out of their way to help. If the CBA is creating some problems for Patty with the US INS, it may be time to get some high level Pols involved both in the US and Australia.

Does anyone know what type of visa Patty was under when he played for Portland? The following is a list of some of the available visas that allow work in the US. It appears that a BA degree is a prerequisite except for the O-1 visa that may be open to subjective interpretation.

E-3 Visa. This is a visa option for Australian nationals if they have a job offer in the U.S. and a bachelor’s degree.

H-1B Professional Employment Visa. Persons with at least a bachelor's degree may be eligible if their U.S. employer is willing to file the H-1B pe ion. This is by far the most common nonimmigrant employment-based visa category.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa. This pe ion requires an employer and “extraordinary ability” in the field.

**Whisky Dog** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by benfti

Everyone loves an underdog.

and a 6'0 Aussie is an underdog, and the reason I think people like this one so much is because (aside from how well he engages fans) is that every reason why he shouldnt be able to make it does not even seem to be a blip on his radar. to short, so what, I will jump higher. He never gives up, I mean never, on a play, on a possession, on a game, on a season, he will keep going when he has no business to keep going.

You have to respect that.

And he can play, he is no Tony Parker, dont tell him that though, its not an ego thing either, he does not think he is the best, he just cant accept that something is not possible.

Seriously, San Antone is going to love this guy. You guys will all be honorary Aussies within 5 games from this kid.

Looking forward to seeing how he performs in the backup PG role, but please don't ever say San Antone

**Spurs151** · 03-27-2012

Does anyone one think dentmons staying or going?

**Spurs151** · 03-27-2012

I mean once patty mills arrives

**OZspurs** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by keywester

I'm not surprised to hear that there may be a China link to Patty's visa delay. Based on the cir stances of his departure from China, I doubt the CBA would go out of their way to help. If the CBA is creating some problems for Patty with the US INS, it may be time to get some high level Pols involved both in the US and Australia.

Does anyone know what type of visa Patty was under when he played for Portland? The following is a list of some of the available visas that allow work in the US. It appears that a BA degree is a prerequisite except for the O-1 visa that may be open to subjective interpretation.

E-3 Visa. This is a visa option for Australian nationals if they have a job offer in the U.S. and a bachelor’s degree.

H-1B Professional Employment Visa. Persons with at least a bachelor's degree may be eligible if their U.S. employer is willing to file the H-1B pe ion. This is by far the most common nonimmigrant employment-based visa category.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa. This pe ion requires an employer and “extraordinary ability” in the field.

Mills may go for E-3 or E-5 easily. H1B is not for OZ people and requires sort of complicated process. Mills had a big argument with China club. i read that back to a few months ago. He is a qualified player, big heart, long range shot, good teamwork. very be a nice add for Spurs backcourt

**Mugen** · 03-27-2012

Originally Posted by KINGFISHER

Please add me to the list of new Spurs fans due to the signing of Patty Mills. The Spurs not only picked up a handy young back up pg, but they just added another 20 odd million fans from down under to go with.

Oh, you'll need to get used to this -

Patty will learn pretty quickly that throwin up the 3 goggles is a one way ticket to Pop's doghouse.

**Thompson** · 03-27-2012

What would be the ramifications of saying, "Well, we gave China more than enough time to get their act in gear; they're incompetent. Mills, suit up"? I know Stern wouldn't allow it out of some sense of cooperation, but seriously, this is stupid. It's going to happen, just let it happen already.