Patty Mills thanks the Spurs in emotional tribute video

Former Spurs guard, champion, and locker room spiritual animal Patty Mills has had a busy month. While he was leading Australia to its first ever bronze medal in men’s basketball at the Tokyo Olympics, he also had to make perhaps the most difficult decision of career: stay with the team he has called home for the last ten years, or move on as the Spurs head into full rebuild mode.

He chose the latter, teaming up with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden (oh, and Blake Griffin, remember that guy?) in Brooklyn with the goal of bringing the Nets franchise its first ever NBA championship. It was an understandable decision considering the Nets could offer the best of both worlds: more playing time AND one of the best chances in the league for Mills to win another ring. Who can blame him for jumping on that opportunity? Certainly not Spurs fans, who have seen plenty of veterans do the same when coming to San Antonio during their heydays.

Despite his departure, Mills still wants everyone to know that just as fans have told him, he is a Spur for life and will always consider San Antonio home, and he did so with a tribute video that is fittingly both emotional and funny — right in line with his two most dominant traits.

Not only that, but despite officially being a Brooklyn Net now, he still made sure to point out that his new profile picture is Spurs themed. While it may not stay that way once the new season starts, it’s yet another tribute from San Antonio’s favorite Aussie.

Mills is one of the most beloved Spurs of all time — maybe the most among non-stars. As they are known to do, the Spurs will surely have an emotional tribute waiting for him when he’s welcomed back to the AT&T Center on January 21, and it’s not hard to imagine that one day his #8 jersey will be hanging in the rafters, truly cementing his legacy has a Spur for life.

In fact, this might be a good time to end with a poll. It’s been quite a while.