Mills Flaunts Skills in First Summer League Action

This was the summer of LeBron James, but as far as the Summer League is concerned, it is the summer of Patty–Patty Mills, Australian-born point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. During the 2009 season, Mills, who starred at St. Mary’s for two seasons, scored in bunches. He showed the team he could shoot, but he rarely played during his rookie season. When he entered a game, it sadly meant the Blazers were on their way to a blowout win or loss. He didn’t get a chance to prove himself, but during the summer league, he is given that chance.

The team drafted two point guards in this June’s NBA Draft in Elliot Williams, who will not play in any of the five games scheduled, and Armon Johnson, who played alongside Mills in their Summer League opener against the Houston Rockets. This had to be a difficult pill to swallow. Now, how he plays could determine if he remains or is let loose.

Portland is very high on Williams, who has a ridiculous 48-inch vertical off one leg and is in the Jerryd Bayless mold skill-wise. The battle is presumed to be between Johnson and Mills for a roster spot. Both played very well, and if they continue to play as they did in their 2010 debut, the Blazers certainly will have a tough decision on their hands.

Johnson showed more early on. He was very aggressive offensively, found open teammates, possessed a confident jumper, and played solid defense. He forced back-to-back turnovers in the first half, the first leading to a driving layup, and predominately stuck with Rockets speedy guard Ismail Smith.

Mills began quietly. He forced shots, but as the game went on he was more pass-first than the Blazers are accustomed to seeing. His unselfishness paid off as he handed out assist after assist, displaying encouraging court-vision, and he soon found his offense.

Portland led for most of the first half, and did their best to pull away from Houston late in the first half behind Mills. He hit a deep three-pointer from Johnson on the left-wing, swooped in for a layup, and made a nifty bounce-pass to a cutting Dante Cunningham on a fastbreak.

The point guard duo combined to score 14 points, dish six assists, grab six rebounds, and swipe four steals in the opening two quarters. Johnson didn’t do much in the third and fourth quarter, but Mills sure made an impact.

He didn’t impress offensively, though he did finish with 12 points, good for second best on the team. He made his mark in the passing department, finishing with nine assists. Each pass was brilliant, hitting teammates in the right spot, whether he found them on the wings or inside. He also grabbed seven rebounds to boot.

Johnson tallied eight points, two assists, and four steals in the contest, but he tried to force the issue at times. Mills won this matchup, though Johnson’s quick hands and ability to create space in particular made it a close race. If one thing is to be followed during the Blazers' Summer League, it is how the matchup will continue to play out.

The two point guards weren’t the only ones to shine for the Blazers in their 17-point rout. Small forward Dante Cunningham, who played very well in limited action last season, looked anxious early on, but settled into a groove. He showed he can guard small forwards, which is a great sign.

It has been difficult to decide whether Cunningham would be a small or power forward in the NBA, considering his muscular physique screams the latter. But, his defense against small forwards exemplified a new-found versatility he can bring to the Blazers, a team not only trying to replace the production of Martell Webster, but that of Travis Outlaw as well.

He started 2-7 from the field, but finished 5-11, scoring 10 points to compliment his seven rebounds (three of which were offensive), and two assists—one on a nice bounce-pass to Mills for a layup. He really made an impact on the boards, crashing the glass along with the rest of Portland’s big men to convincingly win the rebounding battle.

Jeff Pendergraph, who also proved valuable last season when the Blazers frontcourt was depleted, was looking to assert himself offensively early. He took eight shots in the first quarter, making four. He did not make another basket, but he possessed a relatively fluid hook shot and a much-improved jumper. Like Cunningham, he cleaned the glass very well, snatching six of Portland’s 48 boards.

Another forward, Ekene Ebekwe, was by far the most impressive Blazer in the game. His offense isn’t all too developed, but he did make 4-5 shots and finished with 10 points as one of the five players to reach double-figures. That wasn’t what stuck with me. His defense was extraordinary, reminiscent of a young Marcus Camby.

He used his long arms and perfect timing to block five shots, something that has been regularly said about Camby. He also gobbled up eight rebounds, including three offensive, and collected two steals to finish off his very impressive outing—another sentence that has been often uttered regarding Camby’s play.

If Ebekwe continues to play as well as he did defensively, Portland should definitely consider giving him a spot on their roster. His energy alone could be an upgrade over Juwan Howard, who is currently a free-agent. With what he showed in this game, any offense would be a bonus.

Luke Babbitt had a so-so debut. He wasn’t scared to drive into the lane and stay in there for rebounds, nor was he bashful from outside, possessing a jumper that shows why former General Manager Kevin Pritchard was so high on him. But, he certainly didn’t impress on the defensive end. Overall, he had a team-high 13 points on 5-9 shooting, but nothing really stood out from the rookie. But, given the glimpses he did show, a lot of things will in due time.

All in all, it was a extremely successful first game for the Blazers Summer League team. Portland, after going 1-4 in last summer’s edition, has high hopes of reversing course—not only playing well, but winning games. The coaching staff doesn’t put much stock in wins or losses, as they see this five-game set as a talent-evaluator.  And, early indications are that they will have a lot of talent to evaluate, and that talent starts with Mills.