Just got done watching Portland/New Orleans -- a lot of talent on display in this game on both sides...Really tuned in to watch Patty Mills. Portland's got a decision they have to make with this guy..They've got Andre Miller as their starting PG with Jerryd Bayless as the primary backup at the NBA level. All the while, Roy has the ball in his hands a majority of the time anyway..Now they added Armon Johnson who looked good tonight against NO (very steady performance in over 35 mins). Johnson actually started this game alongside Mills at the off-guard spot but later had plenty of opportunities to run the show when Mills wasn't in the game and he did a good job..They obviously like him, picking him 34th a couple of weeks ago. What's that pick say about Mills? I'm not even sure of his status -- Portland drafted this guy 55th overall last year. He's now a FA, I'm assuming restricted, although I'm not sure..If not, I'd scoop him up right now if I'm the Knicks. I'm just not sold on TD as a PG in the NBA and even with Ray Felton, I'd still look to add depth at PG if the opportunity presents itself. There might be an opportunity with Mills...
Mills successfully returned from a wrist injury he suffered while at St. Mary's and then made it back from a broken foot last year playing for Portland's SL team...A couple of setbacks for this young man but he looks like he's all the way back now, firing on all cylinders. Looked good tonight going for 18 pts. in 29 mins...Had a tremendous 1st half (14 pts.) then kinda lost his aggressiveness in the 2nd half a little bit but was still very impressive for a second straight game. I don't understand why this guy isn't more highly thought of. The whole package is there -- tremendous speed to get deep in the lane where he can dish or finish himself, quality handle, good passer and he can shoot it. There's no doubt he's a scoring point but unlike fellow scoring PG Toney Douglas, Mills looks much more comfortable and a lot less mechanical when it comes to running a team and being a playmaker..Really looked like he was giving good effort on defense tonight too (and he had his hands full with Aubrey Coleman who's a lot better player than I thought btw -- Coleman's more than a scorer - NO put the ball in his hands and although he registered only 1 assist, he ran the point surprisingly well & did a decent job of getting his and also looking for teammates). Anyway I think Mills is a steal if we could ever get him...I think he'll definitely be on the move eventually -- doesn't look like he fits there in Portland. Wilson Chandler or Chandler/TD for Fernandez/Mills is definitely a trade I'd make. Not only are the contracts better but I actually think Rudy & Mills are the superior players. I know we've been looking at Rudy for awhile now (he's another guy that doesn't appear to fit with the Blazers anymore and I think they'd be willing to move him) and where there's smoke there's usually fire..If we do wind up going after Rudy I'd look to expand the deal to include Mills too if I could swing it.
