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Brooklyn Nets: Patty Mills is absolutely torching everyone to begin season

By Josh Paredes

Patty Mills (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Patty Mills (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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On a team with Kevin Durant, it’s Patty Mills who’s turning heads so far for the Brooklyn Nets. After spending his last 10 years down south playing for the Spurs, his adaptation to a new environment in the east has gone even smoother than anyone could’ve hoped.

After his first subpar game in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, Mills picked right back up where he started the season, scoring 21 points and setting the nets on fire from the outside. The performance marked the second time in four games he’s scored 21 and the third time in four games he’s had double figures off the bench.

Heading into Tuesday’s slate of games, Mills is tied for the most 3-pointers made in the league with 16. He’s only needed 25 attempts to bury those 16 threes (64%) while CJ McCollum and LaMelo Ball have taken 33 and 32, respectively.

Beyond his lights-out shooting, he’s also committed just two turnovers in 114 minutes while dishing out nine assists.

"“He’s a winner,” said Head Coach Steve Nash after the Nets’ latest victory. “He plays the right way. He’s experienced. He organizes us on both sides of the ball.”"

Patty Mills is getting it done on both ends of the floor for the Nets.

Mills has shown an exceptional feel for the game throughout his career, and it’s paying off for Brooklyn immediately. The Nets were going to need an offensive boost from a few different guys in Kyrie Irving’s absence — I’d say a true shooting percentage of 72.5 will just about do it.

Although defense has never been his strong suit at 6-1, Mills does well enough staying in front of his man and offers the occasional momentum-swinging steal. This is just flat-out entertaining.

We might only be four games into the season, but what Mills has offered so far shows he could be a difference-maker for the Nets all season long. If he keeps up even a fraction of this level of play, the Sixth Man of the Year is as good as his.