Bucks buy Bogut time
The hype around Andrew Bogut is finally about to be put to the test, as Darrell Halim reports.
So is Andrew Bogut the real deal? The hype surrounding NBA’s latest number one draft pick was always going
to be enormous, but with the Milwaukee Bucks recent acquisition of All-Star calibre centre Jamaal Magloire via
a trade with the New Orleans Hornets, Bogut’s immediate and long-term future have suddenly taken a reality
check.
Bucks coach Terry Stotts has said that Magloire would start at centre, leaving Bogut to start his first
regular season in the NBA on the bench. However, Stotts was adamant that the trade was not a statement on
Bogut’s readiness, but one that represents the team’s goal of being a playoff contender.
The trade suggests that Buck’s management believe the Australian seven-footer needs time to develop his
game.
The Aussie, whose parents are natives of Croatia, has started all eight of Milwaukee’s preseason games,
averaging a reasonable nine points and seven rebounds in just over 28 minutes of play.
Bogut’s most impressive performance came in the Buck’s last preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. He
posted 17 points (making seven of 10 shots from the field), seven rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes of
play against two quality big men in Marcus Camby and Nene. Not bad for most centres in the NBA.
In a recent survey of the NBA’s general manager, Bogut was predicted to take out the 2005-06 Rookie of the
Year award with 40 per cent of votes. However, Bogut only received 16.7 per cent of all votes for the question
of which rookie would be the best in five years time.
Bogut has been touted by many as the most NBA-ready prospect of his class. This doesn’t come as a surprise
considering he was awarded many college player of the year awards including the Associated Press player of the
year, Naismith Trophy and John R. Wooden Award.
It is very likely that Bogut’s star will eventually shine, but only time will tell how brightly.
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