Melbourne Tigers sign Patty Mills

[DUB]

Melbourne Tigers sign Patty Mills amid NBA lockout

The signing of Boomers point guard Patty Mills is set to provide the Tigers and the league with a massive boost that could lead to sell-out crowds around the country.

Signed on the proviso he is released once the NBA lockout is lifted (so he can try to keep his spot with the Portland Trailblazers), Mills, 23, may be Australia's most popular current player.

With the Tigers set to have 24 of their 28 games telecast on One HD, the NBL is hoping to have Mills wearing the No.20 jersey all season.

"Melbourne Tigers are anticipating sell-out crowds," Tigers owner Seamus McPeake said.

Canberra-born Mills is eager to continue his improvement with the Tigers after turning down several European offers.

"I'm sitting here happy as can be right now and happy to get this great opportunity to play," Mills said yesterday.

"My goal is to continue my development and to make sure I'm in the best shape I can be when the lockout in the NBA finishes."

In some ways the Mills deal mirrors the 1998 NBA lockout when Andrew Gaze left the Tigers mid-season to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, and there is every chance Mills could be gone with a moment's notice.

"You just go with the flow," Mills said. "As a Tiger I'm here to the end so we'll just have to wait and see.

"One thing I've learnt in the NBA is it's all about business (and) it's out of my control. All I can do now is sign with the Tigers."

Mills is in Australia preparing for the Boomers do-or-die Olympic qualification series against arch-rivals New Zealand.

He's dead to me while he plays with that club.

I wish him nothing but failure in his time with them.

 

[bluefrog]

What is the NBA equivalent of the Melbourne Tigers? I need a frame of reference

 

[Nate4Prez]

What is the NBA equivalent of the Melbourne Tigers? I need a frame of reference

The Dakota Wizards.

 

[jlprk]

Melbourne finished 7th in a 9-team league last season. Reading the comments, fans of the other teams are in an uproar over how the Tigers' cap must have been jimmied to sign Mills.

http://www.nbl.com.au/

Dub, will we see highlights of Mills games? Which team is your team? I think mine is the New Zealand Tall Blacks. Just for the name. Mills plays them on Sept. 7, 9, and 11.

Mills is currently in Australia preparing for the Boomers’ do-or-die Olympic qualification series against archrivals New Zealand, which will be the first opportunity for Australian fans to see the NBA star in action on home soil since 2009. Mills and the Boomers will face the Tall Blacks in a three-game series for a ticket to London 2012 with games in Melbourne (7 September at the State Netball Hockey Centre), Brisbane (Brisbane Entertainment Centre on 9 September) and Sydney (Sydney Entertainment Centre on 11 September).