Tag: Andrew Bogut

Former Warriors champion weighs in on Jonathan Kuminga saga

Andrew Bogut shared his thoughts on the Golden State Warriors forward losing faith in Steve Kerr.

On Friday, Shams Charania reported Jonathan Kuminga had “lost faith” in Steve Kerr. The third-year forward was unimpressed at being benched for the final 18-minutes in the Golden State Warriors loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. The report generated serious buzz on social media.

Former Warriors champion Andrew Bogut shared his opinion on the developing saga shortly after the news broke. He tried to provide some perspective from both sides, noting how developing young talent while still serving championship-caliber veterans is a difficult path to navigate. He also shared his surprise at the news being leaked rather than being kept in-house.

“This is Wild thing to leak. … Wow. Welcome to the GM seat Mike Jnr!,” Bogut wrote with his initial reaction before following up with some broader thoughts. “Development vs playing trusty vets is always a tricky balance. Remember this though: After the @warriors 15-50 season, many were talking about making trades and developing younger players. They won a chip 2 seasons later. Not saying that happens this time, but just a bit of perspective.”

Bogut spent four seasons with the Warriors between 2012 and 2016. He re-signed with the franchise for his final season in the NBA in 2018. As such, he has been around Kerr and the team’s championship-winning core and likely understands the difficult path Kuminga is trying to walk.

Nevertheless, Kuminga’s decision to make his displeasure public could have a negative effect on team morale. Golden State has already been dealing with multiple issues this season, and Kuminga has added another to the list. Whether the report pressures Kerr to play him more or pushes the front office into considering a trade will remain to be seen.

Still, Bogut’s shock at the report surfacing is likely similar to most Warriors fans at that moment.

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Andrew Bogut: Lakers will finish 10th in the Western Conference

Former NBA big man Andrew Bogut threw some major shade at the Lakers and their championship hopes this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers may not be the pick of many pundits to win this season’s NBA championship, but they are considered by most to be a title contender.

However, some aren’t that optimistic. After all, LeBron James is 38 years of age and Anthony Davis, as great a player as he is, is injury-prone. To these naysayers, it doesn’t matter that Los Angeles added a great deal of depth and support over the last nine months to keep James fresh.

Former NBA big man Andrew Bogut went as far as saying the Lakers will finish 10th in the Western Conference, which would mean they would take the final play-in tournament spot (h/t Lakers Daily).

Last season, even though they played very mediocre ball through February, the Lakers finished seventh in the conference. They made it all the way to the Western Conference finals, and their defensive numbers were among the NBA’s best after the All-Star break.

Even though they were up and down defensively during the preseason, there doesn’t seem to be any reason why the Lakers will struggle in that category this season as long as they stay relatively healthy.

Andrew Bogut thinks Josh Giddey will be the greatest Australian player ever

“He’s going to be the greatest Australian player to play in the NBA.”

When fans think of Australian players who’ve played in the NBA throughout history, one of the first names that come to mind is likely center Andrew Bogut.

Bogut spent 14 seasons in the NBA, where he was taken No. 1 in the 2005 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Injuries hampered his tenure in the league, but he enjoyed a career resurgence with the Golden State Warriors. In his five seasons with the Warriors, he was the starting center for the first four years as they won a championship with him.

Bogut played an instrumental part in the beginning of the Warriors’ dynasty.

Another Australian who could soon join Bogut’s company is Josh Giddey, who’s been marvelous for the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first two seasons in the league. The Thunder selected Giddey No. 6 in the 2021 draft and has spent the last two seasons sharing a backcourt with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In an interview with Sportal’s Christos Tsaltas, Bogut said he thinks Giddey could go down as the greatest player in Australian history.

“He’s been great. Josh was labeled as not athletic and not fast enough; ‘What is he, a one or a two?’ He’s a basketball player. He just knows how to play. His development has been sensational. He’s always had the ability to rebound and pass. I think the scoring was the biggest question and he’s proven he can get to the paint. His 3-point shot is getting better and better. He’s putting a lot of work into his 3-point shot this season again. He’s still not where he wants to be, but he’s getting better, better and better. I’m excited. He’s going to be the greatest Australian player to play in the NBA. He’s gonna break a lot of records for Australian players with points, rebounds, assists and all those things. I’m also excited for him and OKC. I think OKC has a very young and talented team that I think in a year or two, is gonna be one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference — especially when they go out and sign maybe another star or another veteran that can come and help. I think they have a chance to be very good.”

That’s some high praise to receive from Bogut, who is a legend in Australia himself.

Considering how much Giddey has already accomplished in his first two seasons, the 20-year-old will definitely have enough time to make Bogut’s prediction come true. Especially if he continues to develop at the rate he has so far in his young career.

The full story can be read here.

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Andrew Bogut believes Bradley Beal is trying to join Sixers to form Big 3

Andrew Bogut believes that Bradley Beal will want to join the Philadelphia 76ers to form a Big 3.

The Philadelphia 76ers have a pretty darn good duo in the form of James Harden and Joel Embiid as they get set to chase a championship in 2022. They also have a good young player in the form of Tyrese Maxey who could be the third player of a potential Big 3 that opposing teams will have to contend with.

However, what about another All-Star? Bradley Beal has been getting it done with the Washington Wizards throughout his career, but due to the franchise’s inability to win in the playoffs, it might be time to move on.

Former NBA champion Andrew Bogut believes that Beal might be wanting to join the Sixers. He said on his podcast “Rogue and Bogues” (h/t to NBC Sports):

I’ve heard a pretty big rumor from some people that are pretty close to the situation in the NBA: Big three to Philly. Brad Beal is trying to get to Philadelphia in the offseason to team up with Harden and Embiid.

Philly’s desperate, obviously, to try to get off (Tobias) Harris, anyway. They have been for a while. And I think they’re even more desperate now to free up that cap space somehow. It will most likely have to be a sign-and-trade with Philly. But don’t be surprised if a big three forms in Philly. That’s the word on the street.

The Sixers will have to find a way to move Harris’ big contract, but with a guy like Beal joining Harden, Embiid, and Maxey, that would be one extremely tough team to stop. Beal is out for the 2021-22 season due to wrist surgery, but he was averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists in 40 games before the surgery.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Draymond Green, Steve Kerr and other former Warriors react to Andrew Bogut’s retirement

After Andrew Bogut announced his retirement from basketball, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green chimed in on Twitter to appreciate the Warriors’ former center.

On a Monday edition of his podcast “Rogue Bouges,” Andrew Bogut announced he’s retiring from basketball after 14 seasons in the association. After being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2005 NBA draft, Bogut played for five different teams during his 14 season career. In 2012, the seven-foot center was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a deal that included Monta Ellis moving to the Eastern Conference.

Over five seasons in the Bay Area, Bogut averaged 6.1 points on 57.9% shooting from the field with 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks in 23.2 minutes per contest. As a Warrior, the Australian big man notched an NBA championship ring in 2015 as Golden State’s starting center along with earning a spot on the league’s All-Defensive Second Team.

Outside of his time in Golden State and Milwaukee, Bogut played short stints with the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Along with his ever unique ability to find an open Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson from the post for an open shot on the perimeter, Bogut’s consistent defensive leadership helped build a stout frontcourt next to a young Draymond Green.

Following his retirement announcement, Bogut’s former coach and teammates chimed in on social media. Steve Kerr, Green and some of his former teammates, including members of Golden State’s 2015 championship roster congratulated Bogut for a strong NBA career with messages of support on Twitter.

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Former Warrior Andrew Bogut announces retirement after 14 seasons in NBA

After 14 seasons in the NBA, including five with the Warriors, Australian center Andrew Bogut has announced his retirement from basketball.

To open the 2005 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Australian center Andrew Bogut out of the University of Utah with the No. 1 overall selection. Fourteen seasons later, the big man is hanging up his jersey.

On Tuesday, Bogut announced his retirement on his podcast “Rogues Bogues.” After a reunion with the Golden State Warriors during the 2018-19 season, Bogut played the 2019-20 season with the Sydney Kings in Australia’s NBL.

Following seven seasons to start his career in Milwaukee, Bogut was traded to the Warriors in a blockbuster deal that featured Bay Area crowd favorite Monta Ellis.

Bogut initially spent four seasons in Golden State, tallying 6.3 points on 58.1% shooting from the field with 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.6 blocks in 23.7 minutes per contest.

The seven-footer was a key piece on Golden State’s run to an NBA championship in 2015. After stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, Bogut rejoined Golden State for 11 games and the playoffs in the 2018-19 season.

Next to NBA champion, Bogut earned several accolades and honors during his time on the hardwood. In 2010, Bogut was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He also earned spots on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2015 and the All-Rookie First Team in 2006. In 2011, Bogut led the NBA in blocks.

On Twitter, the Golden State Warriors thanked the 36-year-old center.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

Along with his fierce defensive prowess and strength as a leader, Bogut will be remembered for his crafty vision as a passer from the post. The big man had a knack for finding Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson leaking away for an open jumper from beyond the arc.

Bogut will finish his 14-year career averaging 9.6 points on 53.5% shooting from the field with 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks.

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Former Spartan Basketball legend Charlie Bell to be Flint United head coach

Yesterday it was announced that former Spartan basketball legend Charlie Bell would be the inaugural head coach for Flint United.

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Yesterday it was announced that former Spartan basketball legend Charlie Bell would be the inaugural head coach for Flint United. Flint United is a part of The Basketball League, which is a minor professional basketball league that was established in 2018. It was announced back in September that Flint would be awarded a franchise for the upcoming 2021 season.

The team is owned by Flint native Kevin Mays, who played a key role in the success for the Flint Firebirds and Flint City Bucks. The general manager of the team will be another Flint native in Matt Washington. This will be the first professional basketball team that Flint has had since 2004.

Charlie Bell has assistant coaching experience as he was an assistant for the Texas Legends for one season and two seasons for the Iowa Wolves, both of which are in the NBA G League. Bell of course had a successful basketball career on the court with an NCAA championship in 2000 and played 7 seasons in the NBA. He played with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Golden State Warriors.

Will this be a start of a very successful head coaching career? It also looks like he has already started to recruit players for is team in the tweet below.

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Sydney Kings coach Will Weaver compares LaMelo Ball to Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis

Sydney Kings head coach Will Weaver is the latest person associated with both the NBL and NBA to have high praise for Lamelo Ball.

One of the few people to have experience both with the NBA and with the NBL and, specifically, LaMelo Ball, is current Sydney Kings head coach Will Weaver. As a coach, Weaver spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets as an assistant before spending a season as the head coach of the Long Island Nets, a G League side.

In March of 2019, Weaver took over as the head coach of the Kings, leading the team to a 20-8 record and a spot in the Grand Finals. As a result, Weaver is uniquely positioned to give his take on Ball when it comes to the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft.

On the Wingspan Podcast, Weaver compared Ball to some big names in the league already (h/t Nets Daily).

“I think there are not a lot of people of LaMelo’s size and quickness that can play the game as he does at his age. Anthony Davis was really good as a senior in high school. Zion Williamson was really good as a senior in high school and that is what we are really looking at with LaMelo and this thing. Those guys tend to end up being really good when they are 24 year-olds, 28 year-olds, and 32 year-olds.”

Ball’s basketball IQ, size and skill does make him a special prospect at his age, though it’s lofty to compare him to the likes of Williamson and Anthony Davis. Realistically, given what Davis is doing in the NBA Finals and throughout the postseason, it’s lofty to even compare Williamson to him.

Nonetheless, Weaver’s point largely relies on how good those prospects were at a young age, which does apply to Ball. The way Ball has handled being in the national spotlight from a young age is a sign of his maturity as well, which is another positive.

Weaver is the second person associated with both the NBA and NBL to have strong, positive words on Ball with Andrew Bogut, who played under Weaver this season. Considering that few people would know the two leagues better than those two players, it’s a huge positive for Ball’s future that both have been complimentary of him.

Andrew Bogut compares LaMelo Ball to Jason Kidd, Rajon Rondo: ‘He’s that kind of mold’

As one of a few players to share the court with LaMelo Ball and play in the NBA, Andrew Bogut had an interesting comparison for Ball.

Andrew Bogut was one of a handful of people that had the opportunity to see LaMelo Ball up close last season. In fact, Bogut was one of a smaller handful of people that actually played on the same court as Ball last season in the NBL. And even smaller yet, only a very, very small handful of players have experience playing in both the NBA and NBL.

Bogut’s unique blend of experiences makes him particularly capable of a scouting report on Ball as heads into the 2020 NBA Draft. On a recent episode of Locked on Warriors, host Wes Goldberg had a conversation with Bogut on a number of topics, including Ball’s prospects in the NBA.

“I think he has a chance to a great pro mainly (because of) his playmaking ability. I think when we played him, he seemed to make the right decisions every time down the floor. His passing is probably the No. 1 aspect of his game so I think he’s a pure point guard in the way Jason Kidd used to be. He’s that kind of mold. I don’t see him as a big-time scorer. I think he’s more going to be a Jason Kidd, Rajon Rondo, that type of player.

“I think, obviously, he’s talented on the offensive end, just needs to step up defensively. But he’s a young kid that probably hasn’t been taught defensive principles at 18, 19 years old so you have to give him the benefit of the doubt on that. It seems like he’s a good listener. He’ll definitely improve in that aspect but obviously the thing he needs to improve on the most is his defense. I think, like I said, six months…in an NBA system with some good coaching will clean up a lot of his deficiencies on that end.”

In March, Bogut spoke in an interview with a San Francisco radio station about Ball and gave a similar scouting report. In that interview, he didn’t express the same kind of optimism about Ball’s defense, one of the few to do so.

For many, that is one of Ball’s biggest weaknesses, along with his shooting struggles. Bogut’s optimism isn’t entirely unfounded. While Lonzo Ball didn’t have quite the concerns about his defense coming into the league, he certainly wasn’t projected to be the above-average defender he has become in the league.

However, once he entered the league, Lonzo flourished defensively as his high basketball IQ and improved frame helped him find success. If LaMelo can find the same success, he could quickly fit the mold of a Jason Kidd or Rajon Rondo, as Bogut suggests.

Steph for Bogut? Former GM Larry Riley says the Bucks brought that up

Former Warriors GM Larry Riley acknowledged that the Bucks inquired about Steph Curry during Andrew Bogut trade talks. How seriously did Golden State consider it?

The Golden State Warriors trade Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks for center Andrew Bogut in 2013, a deal that put the Warriors one step closer to the dynasty.

It’s been rumored the Bucks wanted Curry. On the Papa & Lund Podcast, former Warriors general manager Larry Riley acknowledged that Golden State did allow Curry’s name to be brought up in discussion, though he said it was a bargaining tactic.

“Here was the deal: We were playing chess,” Riley said.

Apparently, teams were making calls to Golden State regarding Curry, thinking the Warriors may be willing to trade him and keep Monta Ellis as the face of the franchise.

No teams called about Ellis, however, according to Riley.

When the Warriors got word that Milwaukee was looking to move Bogut, Golden State saw a chance to trade Ellis and get a much-needed interior presence.

But the Bucks wanted Curry.

“My thought process was, ‘OK, we’ll talk about Steph, and then we’ll see where it goes and we’ll see if we can swing this thing around to Monta Ellis,” Riley said. “It is true that Milwaukee softened a little bit because of Steph’s ankle history.”

Curry had surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle in May 2011. He missed nine of the first 14 games in the lockout-shortened 2012 season, and sprained his ankle again on March 11 of that year, which caused him to miss the rest of the season.

Two days after Curry’s injury, the trade with the Bucks was announced.

“It is true, we started that conversation, but it was always in the back of my mind, we’re not going to trade Steph, we want to try to swing this thing over to Monta Ellis,” Riley said. “That’s actually the way it happened, so we had some good fortune there as well.”

In the a trade article, ESPN wrote that Bogut had struggled with injuries, and Stephen Jackson, who was also traded to the Warriors, had been receiving limited playing time after missing a shootaround and being suspended for “verbally abusing an official.”

Milwaukee insisted on more than Ellis, leading the Warriors to include center Ekpe Udoh.

Of course, this whole recollection is from the former Warriors general manager who has full hindsight of how Curry’s career took off while Ellis’ didn’t. Take it with a grain of salt: Nobody in the world would admit they almost traded Curry.

Riley did more or less point this out after being asked directly by Papa & Lund if Curry would have been in the Bogut deal instead of Ellis: “I’m supposed to say no, and no is true. You’ll have a lot of people who won’t believe that.”

But it could be as straightforward as what Riley said: The Bucks preferred Curry and brought him up in discussion, which is a highly logical. The Warriors did not shut the door on discussion but instead tried to steer it toward Ellis, also a smart move. And in the end, Milwaukee liked the thought of adding a guard who averaged more than 20 points while moving an oft-injured center and a veteran who didn’t get much playing time. The Warriors, who were ready to make Klay Thompson a full-time starter, add a big man, and potentially get a higher lottery pick — is that Harrison Barnes’ music? — readily agreed.