[video=youtube;7lELo--YNc4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7lELo--YNc4#![/video]
Xinjiang knocked Bayi from the ranks of the undefeated with a 111-92 victory. Patrick Mills joined the team and picked up where Quincy Douby left off, scoring 28 points on 12 of 15 shooting while dishing out 8 assists. Unlike Aaron Brooks he did not have jet lag. Kenyon Martin had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Mengke Bateer had 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Xirelijiang scored 13. Tang Zhengdong had 12 points and 6 rebounds. Xu Guozhong scored 11. Mo Ke scored 21 and Xu Zhonghao scored 20 for Bayi. Zhang Bo scored 18 while Delehei had 13 points and 6 rebounds. Wang Zhizhi had 9 points and 2 rebounds in 17 minutes. http://www.asia-basket.com/China/basketball.asp?NewsID=249821
Patty seems to play very well at every level except the NBA. I wonder if he was on a team and got consistent backup minutes for a season or two if he'd develop into a decent NBA PG.
I was procrastinating with my work and decided to watch the full game instead. You can too: first half: http://s.sohu.com/20111125/n326940827.shtml Second half: http://s.sohu.com/20111125/n326940735.shtml Patty was dominant. Made some dumbass passes, but still easily the best player on the floor.
Some coaches are good at bringing out player strengths and covering up weaknesses. McMillan's system will put on full display the weaknesses of anyone.
You could say that about a ton of good college players. Patty's limitations have to do with his lack of height and bulk at the NBA level and the fact that he's got major ball security issues when he's pressed on the perimeter. Patty at best is a 3rd string point guard at the NBA level ... In the broader perspective, there's no shame in that because that still means he's one of about 400 guys that can say that.
Apparently Patty doesn't have an out in his contract so he won't be back anyways. It's all yours, Nolan.
He'll have to get past Armon "Lefty" "No seriously, don't make me go right" "Pretty please?" Johnson first!
Oh well, the team already has an adequate back-up PG in Felton. Now, if they just had someone good enough to start.....
Don't underestimate Armon, he is/will be a very good player. Felton, Nolan, Armon, Wesley, Batum, Wallace, LMA, Camby - That's 8 players. Then we have Roy, Oden - 10. Babbitt, Eliot Williams, Diebler, The big skinny guy - 14. Gonna be interesting to see exactly what roster we have on opening night!
I thought that Diebler is going to stay in Europe the whole season. That was the Blazer plan even before the lockout, although if Mills is locked into his China contract, maybe management will change its mind about Diebler.
Just checked. After 5 games, Diebler is 5th on his team in minutes and points. http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=Greece&Team=273&Page=3
They played a 6th game. Attempting only 3 shots, Diebler was 7th in minutes but 4th in points. He's not mentioned in the summary paragraph. http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Greece/2011/1126_366_273.asp