\u201cHe\u2019s unselfish, loving, giving, to all people no matter where they live in the world,\u201d Popovich on Mills, according<\/a> to Tom Orsborn of San Antonio Express-News. \u201cHe\u2019s always positive, a consummate pro in preparing for his job, gives everything he has in every practice and every game, supports everybody on the team and in the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Meanwhile, more than being a great player, Pop commended Aldridge for its humanitarian work and service in the San Antonio community. He also expressed his happiness to see the big man enjoying his basketball return after a brief retirement due to an abnormal heartbeat last season (h\/t <\/a>Alex Schiffer of The Athletic)<\/p>\n Pop on LA:<\/p>\n “LA did all the community things Patty did\u2026.He just did it quietly. He worked and gave to a lot of schools in town, and it was never in the press, nobody every knew about it. But we knew about it here. He was a great teammate with everybody, a heck of a player.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) January 22, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n After spending 10 seasons raising the silver and black flag, Mills expressed his intentions to leave and join the title-contending Nets last offseason in an emotional conversation with Popovich. The Australian gunner was integral to the Spurs\u2019 sustained success in the last decade, as he was also part of the franchise\u2019s prized fifth title in 2014 after a Finals vengeance against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n Six years ago today, @Patty_Mills<\/a> erupted for 14 PTS (5-5 FG) in seven minutes during the third quarter in Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals to help seal our fifth NBA Championship! \u2014 San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 15, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Aldridge left the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015 to take a Texas homecoming. Though winning a championship didn\u2019t go well as planned, the seven-time All-star undeniably had some precious memories of helping the Western Conference squad and learning from the all-time head coach. After a contract buyout, he inked a contract with Brooklyn last 2020-2021 campaign until declaring a brief retirement due to health concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n LaMarcus Aldridge\u2019s 56 point game against the Thunder in 2019 He\u2019s been doing this for so damn long now. Truly a versatile big man. His jumper in the mid range has always been lights out, good touch around the rim, patient, good passer, never looks uncomfortable. pic.twitter.com\/b7UhnN5tA4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ball Don’t Stop (@balldontstop) July 4, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Indeed, tons of smiles, cheers, and overwhelming feelings have to be expected in the upcoming matchup, as these two are forever etched in the hearts of the Spurs faithful.\u00a0<\/p>\n Old friends meeting up again! \u2014 Bally Sports San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) January 21, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The post Gregg Popovich showers love on former Spurs Patty Mills, LaMarcus Aldridge ahead of Brooklyn-SA bout appeared first on TalkBasket.net.<\/p>\n\n
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@HEB<\/a> | #PlayoffVault<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/27m0Gp9RjU<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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@SpursCoyote<\/a> giving Patty Mills a warm welcome before tonight\u2019s game. #PorVida<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vJDvfSCqW1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/img>
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