TOKYO (Japan) - Patty Mills will be leading Australia as the flag bearer for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony. But Mills' real highlights will come on the court where he serves as the Boomers’ Superman.

While Superman's outfit is dominated by blue and red, Mills turns into a national superhero when he puts on the green and gold of Australia. So let's say he becomes Boomerman.

The guard has never averaged more than 11.6 points a game in his 12 seasons in the NBA with Portland or San Antonio. But Mills hasn't poured in fewer than 13.8 points per game at any of his five global competitions since 2008. After averaging 14.2 points at the 2008 Olympics and 13.8 points at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010, Mills was the leading scorer at the 2012 Olympics at 21.5 ppg; he finished second in scoring at the 2016 Olympics (20.5 ppg), and then was fourth at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 (22.5 ppg).

The reason? Well, this series is called "You Can't Guard Him," so there is the reason Mills caps our quintet of offensive superheroes from Tokyo 2020.

In addition to the pride of playing for his country, Mills also had the motivation of being the main man on his team - the man the team revolves around, something he doesn't get in the NBA.

The 32-year-old doesn't seem to slowing down at all - as most recently evidenced by him torching the United States for 22 points and 4 assists in an exhibition win ahead of these Games.

Mills has the freedom to show all he has in his game - which is more than plenty. Where do you start? Since he plays the point, let us begin with his handle and passing. Mills really controls the ball well and does a great job setting up the team. He can control the pick-and-roll and his quickness with the ball allows him to get past his defender.

He also possesses a superhero-like vision - yes, we're staying on that Boomerman metaphor here - that lets him find his teammates with precise passes. Mills is also not afraid to flash some style with a no-look pass here or there.

But Mills also does not shy away from finishing in the paint. Though Boomerman isn't known for his high-flying heroics, he is crafty enough to score over the giants in the lane and strong enough as well to fend off contact and finish on the reverse side of the basket.t.

Mills' most deadly weapon, though, is his jumper. First off, he can find his spot off the dribble for his shots. But he also has the moves to get his jumper off over bigger defenders. Mills is lethal coming off the screen and draining the three-pointer and he cannot be helped off as he will hit any open shot.

Boomerman's mild-mannered demeanour fits perfectly into Australia's great passing game. Still, Mills knows when his team needs saving and can provide the heroics late in games. He showed this affinity for turning the tide his team's way several times - just like he did this month when the Boomers beat the United States for the first time in history during their Tokyo tune-up games.

Teams in Tokyo will be aware that their task against Australia is a tall one … how to stop a Patty Mills that dons the Boomerman cape when the game turns to international play.

FIBA