Tre Jones learning from Patty Mills during Spurs training camp
12-year veteran Patty Mills spent much of the San Antonio Spurs’ stay during the season restart as a mentor to the younger players on the team and that has continued into training camp ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Of course, the Spurs added first-round pick Devin Vassell (11th overall) and second-rounder Tre Jones (41st) in the NBA draft. Mills has spent time during camp so far offering words of wisdom to the two players on what to expect and how they can have a strong start to the season.
“I think the biggest thing for them is just being patient,” Mills said Tuesday on a Zoom call with reporters. “There is no rush, especially for them. They are here now so to be able to take this process and really understand the learning that comes with this process because there is really no rush. I think a lot of the time young guys come in, especially with their caliber, and want to get right into it and they speed up a little bit. The thing that I try to help them with is it takes time and to enjoy this process and listen and learn and ask questions every day.”
Jones has worked with Mills throughout camp on a variety of drills and little nuances of the game at the point guard position. The two worked on defensive moves in practice on Tuesday, from defending in the post to how to utilize his forearms and hands down low.
The biggest adjustment players often face transitioning to the NBA is the physicality of the game. As a smaller guard, Jones will have to learn how to use his body more on defense and is learning those and other techniques from Mills and others on the roster.
“I’m trying to work with Patty Mills a lot when we break up into small groups but I feel like everybody has been helping me out a lot,” Jones said on Tuesday. “Both point guards that are right there are helping me out a lot to start off with. It really just depends on what we’re going through in practice. Today, we were going through some different defensive things where [Patty] was giving me some words on how to defend [since] I’m a smaller guy as well in this league.”
The Spurs have dealt with a few injuries to some key players that could open the door for Jones. Derrick White (toe) and Keldon Johnson (foot) are expected to miss some time while Lonnie Walker IV is also dealing with a back injury.
Jones could be lifted into extended action earlier than initially thought but the former Duke guard projects to be able to step in and contribute. He was a strong defender at the college level, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while he was also a great leader on the court.
The work Jones has put in so far could be put to the test early this preseason but it is certain he will be ready once his number is called when the Spurs begin play on Saturday.
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