Jan
31
For my second blog post, I thought I would begin the campaign for the spreading of a new nickname for Patty Mills. Several of the regulars in the Game Chat have already heard me proclaiming this nickname, as well as the fans in my section when I go to games. The name is Hot Patty, and denotes not only Patty Mills' handsome appearance, but his style of play on the court.
The origin of this nickname is kind of a funny story. One December evening, my best friend Windy and I were several drinks into a lovely evening. We were discussing whether or not to go up to a bar close to my house, and Windy asked me, "whats that drink called where they put Peppermint Schnapps in hot chocolate?" Isn't that called a hot patty?" I laughed, nearly uncontrollably, most adults who dabble in alcoholic beverages know that drink is called a Peppermint Patty. I informed my friend of this, and told her "ya know, there is a Trail Blazer named Patty.. we should totally call him Hot Patty." Reading this story back to myself now, I'm realizing it isn't as funny as I thought it was, but I guess you had to be there, haha.
Ever since that day, the nickname stuck. Every game we watch, we're yelling for Hot Patty. I even asked Patty himself, via twitter (@patty_mills) what he thought of the nickname, and he approved. I have to say also, ever since we struck this nickname, Patty has gotten a lot more playing time. Now, I'm not saying I'm responsible or anything, but I'm also not saying I'm not. ;)
At the January 11 home game vs. the Knicks, I made a Hot Patty sign. Walking down the concourse carrying my sign, I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and there was Patty's father, whom I immediately recognized because the Mike's had shown him on the broadcast several times. He told me he loved my sign, and I told him I loved his son! He was a very nice man, I shook his hand and introduced myself and although we lost that game against the Knicks, the highlight of my evening was meeting Patty's father, and showing him how loved his son is here in Portland. He seemed like a very proud father.
The Hot Patty sign made another appearance at the January 17th game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (tickets to which I won for writing a poem/rap about being Casey's biggest fan). The sign (and me, I suppose) got on the Jumbotron TWICE, and to this day that is one of my greatest accomplishments.
Thus far for the 2010-2011 season, Patty is averaging 5.9 points, only 1.1 turnovers, and 2.1 assists per game in 33 games played. He has been hands down the glue that has held the team together. His growing friendship (bromance?) with Rudy Fernandez has seemingly healed Rudy's homesickness and reignited his spark on the court. His non-stop twittering and urge to get other players tweeting has connected the team with the fans in a way never seen before in prior seasons. I could go on and on about what Patty has done on and off the court this season, but I think you all get the gist.
So, one and all, won't you please join me in spreading the new sensation that is "HOT PATTY?"