The San Antonio Spurs are renowned for making the most out of the international crop. They’re the United Nations of the NBA. They also have one of the oldest teams in the league. Most of their players can’t play 82 games a year because they always play international friendlies and tournaments.
But as they get older, they say ‘screw it’ and would rather be healthy for the Spurs than play for their home country. Manu Ginobili doesn’t play for Argentina anymore, Boris Diaw and Tony Parker take their international duties with a pinch of salt. Basically if you play for the San Antonio Spurs and you’re over the age of 28, you might as well retire from international basketball. Patty Mills is doing just that. Last season he had shoulder surgery after the 2014 Finals and because of said shoulder, he won’t play for Australia this summer.
Patty Mills won’t be suiting up for the Boomers in the FIBA Oceania Championship this summer as he was left off the roster for Australia’s run at a 19th title in the last 21 tries.
The energetic backup point guard had shoulder surgery following the 2014 Finals and was sidelined for the first 31 games of the 2014-15 season. His shooting struggled throughout the season after the late start, and although he found his range in the playoffs (10.1 points per game against the Clippers), the Spurs apparently have advised Mills to continue working on rehabbing his shoulder to prepare for next season.
I like the word ‘advised’. As if Mills has a choice. International duties are occasional, playing in the NBA is every year, of course he’d pick the Spurs over playing for his home country.
It’s not like Australia gives him his paycheck.
