Josh Giddey reckons Patty Mills deserved better after the Boomers fell in the Olympics quarter-finals to Serbia after holding a 24-point lead.
Giddey was brilliant at times in Australia's 95-90 overtime loss, scoring 25 points to go with five rebounds and four assists.
But the 21-year-old point guard was left to rue seven turnovers, Australia's 20 in total costing them as the world's No.2 side recovered to set up a likely semi-final date with United States.
Giddey had hit a triple to put Australia up by three in overtime, but those were the last points the Boomers' scored.
Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had the final say, swatting away a Giddey drive and scoring four straight points, while Giddey's intercepted inbound pass sealed the result.
"We had everything we needed in this locker room to win a tournament like this and I still believe that," Giddey said.
"It comes down to one or two possessions and shows how little room for error there is.
"A big lead ... I don't think we weathered the storm. A lot of what-ifs.
"The reality is it's over. But it's a tough pill to swallow knowing we have to wait four years til the next one."
Mills (26 points) was the spark-plug for their early advantage, scoring 16 points in less than four minutes with an array of mid-range jumpers, triples and drives to the rim.
He then returned to make a tough shot to force overtime, Mills famously leading the Boomers to Tokyo bronze again proving he grows in stature while wearing green and gold.
"He deserved better; he deserved for us to help him get that ultimate goal of gold," Giddey said of the man who'll turn 36 on Sunday.
"Whether it's his last or not, he's poured so much into this program.
"Talk about 'FIBA Patty', one of the greatest to ever do it in these tournaments. We're very, very lucky to play with him."
Mills, and coach Brian Goorjian, who will also finish as Australia coach, effectively handed the key to Giddey post-game.
Giddey said the young core that includes Josh Green, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum and Jock Landale will target LA's 2028 Games.
"I want to go to as many as I can ... tough way to end this one but fortunately I'm 21 years old, I've got a lot of years left in the tank," he said.
"2028 in LA we'll be ready to go, (I'll be) 25, we'll be a lot more mature.
"It hurts now, but it'll help in the long run."
