In the words of Patty Mills himself, “All-Star voting (is) off to a flyer,” – and yes, that’s sarcasm due to a bizarre blunder.
In a video shared to his social media account, Mills showed that the image used of him on the NBA’s All-Star voting page is incorrect and in fact shows his Hawks teammate Wesley Matthews.
The video always contains the Aussie’s live reaction to the mix up, shaking his head in disbelief with the caption: “All-Star voting is off to a good start,” with a laughing emoji.
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Well, at least he can laugh about it.
It comes amid a difficult season for Mills in Atlanta where the 35-year old has been used sparingly in Quin Snyder’s streamlined rotation after being traded multiple times last off-season.
Through 26 games, Mills has made only four appearances and played a total of 22 minutes for the 11-15 Hawks, who have plenty of depth at the guard position.
His 17 minutes against Philadelphia earlier this month was a season-high, though it came while the team was without key personnel due to injury including Trae Young.
“I think that’s who he’s been as far as the way that he plays,” Snyder said after the game against the Sixers.
“He puts a stamp on the game with his defence, with his activity, his energy, his voice. He’s the epitome of stay ready. He hasn’t been playing and then obviously gets an opportunity tonight.
“I thought that group changed the game when they came in the first quarter at the end there and really gave us a boost… it’s not easy to play against Patrick Beverly pressuring you 90 feet. But that’s what Patty’s done. I just have tremendous respect for him as a player and it is also reflective of who he is as a person and as a teammate.”
Mills’ two-year, $13 million contract originally signed with Brooklyn expires at the end of this season, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.