How a strong Paris Olympic campaign can help Boomers skipper Patty Mills secure his NBA future

A chief concern for the Boomers heading into the Olympics, Patty Mills has found his best form just in time for the green and gold. It continues a trend that stretches back more than a decade.

Patty Mills has shone in the Boomers’ warm-up matches for the Olympics. Pics Adam Head

Patty Mills has recaptured his shooting mojo ahead of the Paris Olympics and it will help the Boomers skipper secure another NBA deal.

Mills is a free agent heading into his fifth Games, but Australian legends believe his time without a contract could be brief based on his recent form.

The veteran guard has been one of the Boomers’ best performers throughout the pre-Olympic warm-up games.

In his past two friendly clashes, Mills has dropped 24 and 28 points respectively in big wins over Serbia and Olympic host nation France.

The veteran guard is playing with a purpose, to not only help the Boomers reach another podium in Paris, but to lock in his playing future.

Patty Mills brought the heat against Serbia. Picture: Christopher Pike/Getty Images

Mills is a free agent coming off a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Miami Heat.

At 35, the legendary Boomer is edging closer to the end, but his former Australian national coach Brendan Joyce insists his NBA days aren’t over if he can produce his finest form in Paris.

“Patty has an amazing ability and laser focus to perform for our nation when he puts on that Boomers singlet on,” said Joyce, who was an Australian assistant coach at Mills’ first Olympics in Beijing in 2008.

“He is a big time leader and locker room guy.

“I just hope he finds the right team in the NBA where players can get him open and so he can play to his strengths as a microwave off the bench.

“He hasn’t played for a while so he needed these games to get back into a groove as there is nothing like playing rather than practice to get you ready.”

Former Boomers coach and captain Phil Smyth is another who hasn’t lost faith in Mills to fire on the international stage despite an indifferent NBA season.

Smyth has no doubts that a club could benefit from his veteran presence.

“Patty could get a deal for sure if he fires at the Olympics and no doubt it’s part of the motivation,” Smyth said.

“The NBA don’t worry about age, so a good showing would get him another year somewhere.”

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian will never forget blooding a fresh-faced Mills at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The kid from Canberra put the world on notice with special shooting display in the quarter-final against the United States.

Mills had American superstars like Kobe Bryant in awe as he dropped 20 points in a 116-85 loss.

The Boomers lost the match, but it will forever be remembered as the moment “FIBA Patty” arrived on the international stage.

Since then, Mills has made it an annual habit to dominate whenever he dons the green and gold.

Patty Mills in action during the Paris Olympic 2024 practice match in Orleans, France. Pics Adam Head

It’s why Goorjian hasn’t been concerned about his captain’s lack of game time in the NBA this season heading into the Games.

“There are certain people who put on that green and gold uniform and they play and go to a whole different level and place,” he said.

“And in history leading up to this, Patty has proven to be that guy.

“What he has done internationally and when he puts that green and gold uniform on it’s at another level.

“And it’s not just me or the Boomers team, everybody in world basketball talks about it.

“It’s like, ‘god man, when Patty puts on that Australian uniform he is another guy.”

The Boomers take on arch rivals Spain in their opening Olympic game from 7pm (AEST) on Saturday.

Originally published as How a strong Paris Olympic campaign can help Boomers skipper Patty Mills secure his NBA future