NBAMate recently caught up with Milwaukee Buck and Aussie legend Andrew Bogut, to pick his brain on All-Star snubs, Kevin Garnett and more.
Andrew, appreciate you taking the time to talk to us at NBAMate.
The topic on every NBA fan’s mind at the moment is obviously the lockout. There’s been some ups and downs in lockout talks recently and the headlines are changing daily. As an NBA player, how do you stay abreast of the developments?
AB: I don’t. After the first or second tease of this all being over in October, I now don’t really believe anything until I receive that phone call.
We know that insurance issues prevented you from signing an NBL contract. How disappointed were you when that fell through?
AB: Very, it was a rare opportunity to play here in the NBL in the prime of my career and one that might not come again.
Is it fair to say that one positive of the lockout has been the extra recovery time you’ve had? Are you nearing 100% health again?
AB: Definitely, but now it’s gotten to the point of wanting this thing to get started again!
We have to ask, have you heard of the “Bogometer”? (If you haven’t, this post gives you a fair idea). We like to imagine that NBAMate is the first thing you check after a big game to see how the Bogometer scored. Any truth in this at all?
AB: Haha no sorry, I haven’t heard of it before! Looks to have its ups and downs though!
Apart from health, what does Milwaukee need to take the next step?
AB: Establish a core group that can stay together for more than one season.
You’ve had a few ‘testy’ battles with KG in recent years, and we’ve used some fairly choice words to describe the bloke on this blog. Do you enjoy these contests and how do you really feel about the guy?
AB: Sure do, and I am pretty sure you can quote whatever words you’ve used!
(Editor’s note: words like this?)
This is our favorite photo of Lebron James
In the past couple of years we’ve seen Andrew Bogut develop into a defensive powerhouse. Just three seasons ago you were averaging 1 block per game – last season it was almost 3 and you were the league leader. How did you manage to make this jump?
AB: Just made it a focus. It goes to show that basketball IQ is more important than athleticism at times. There are numerous instances on the court where I fall into a block by good positioning and being there early. I am not the most athletic center in the league, but I do all my work early by reading the game. There is no way anyone would have picked me to ever lead a season in blocks.
I’m sure you get asked ‘Who is your toughest opponent?’ all the time. But who are some tough matchups for you that might surprise us?
AB: Dwight Howard, he leaves you feeling the blows a week later.
Surprise us? Not really…
Anyone worth their salt knew you deserved All-Star selection the last two seasons (especially in 2009/10). You gave very diplomatic responses after those snubs, but be honest with us – were you ticked off? Because we certainly were.
AB: That’s life, I will have more chances. But it was contradictory of the NBA to initially say that I didn’t make the All-Star team over Horford because we didn’t have a lot of wins, and then go on to replace AI (Iverson) with D Lee who had less wins. Both are great players and it could have gone either way. I was unlucky and they both deserved their spot.
In the last five years the popularity of basketball and the NBA has continued to grow in Australia, despite the struggles of the local league. A big reason for that is your success in the USA and the media and fan attention it creates Downunder. How do you enjoy your role as Australian Ambassador over there? And how do you stay in touch with the game back home?
AB: Definitely. I am a basketball fan in general and I follow the NBL very closely and I am constantly reading articles/stats online. Twitter also helps.
We honor your nastiest dunks with a ‘Bogut on Your Face’ poster here at NBAMate. Personally, I like the one where you creamed Big Baby. Which is your favorite? (a short selection below)
AB: Big Baby!
Thanks for your time Andrew and we hope to see you on the court soon.
AB: No worries, thanks guys.
The ‘Bogut on Your Face’ Shrine
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10 Comments until now.
Quality interview. Will have to disagree with the Bogbeast one topic though – best dunk picture, going with the Cartier Martin one.
I’m not a journalism major and Bogut is of course a seasoned media performer, but how about actually asking some questions?
-Expand on the team not being together for more than a season? Why?
-Is he going to play on the exhibition tour here?
-Who would he like to play with?
-Patty Mills playing in NBL (and his opinion on his video?)
-Irving being the “Second Australian no.1 pick” and his thoughts on him
-Would he like to have a stadium named after him Lauren Jackson
-Does he see consider himself as foreign still after all this time in america?
-Who are his favourite all time players
COME ON!!!
I was actually excited, both to read this and for your site, I however afterward I doubt I could really say the same thing.
‘Would he like to have a stadium named after him’ – Are you serious?
‘Irving the second australian no. 1 pick’ – yeah, he’s a real aussie…..
get real bro
I am a journalist so I’ll respectfully take a shot at some of your questions.
Expand on the team not being together for more than a season? Why?
There’s no way he’s going to answer this without saying “Milwaukee have terrible management”. Most NBA fans know why the answer to this anyway.
Is he going to play on the exhibition tour here?
Tour isn’t happening and he’s already said he wouldn’t have been in it if it was.
Who would he like to play with?
Generic question.
Patty Mills playing in NBL (and his opinion on his video?)
Obvious “it’s great for the league” answer.
Irving being the “Second Australian no.1 pick” and his thoughts on him
Doubt he has any thoughts on him, especially as an Aussie. It’s not like he trained with him at the AIS or anything.
Would he like to have a stadium named after him Lauren Jackson
Say wha?
Does he see consider himself as foreign still after all this time in america?
Might get slapped for this one. Bogut has always come across as very proud of his Aussie/Croatian roots.
Who are his favourite all time players
Generic.
I thought NBAmate covered most of the important bases to be honest (NBL, NBA, injury progress, all-star snub, defensive improvement). Only extra things I might have asked him about would be his cars and dogs, hah.
great article bro. only thing i would.have asked him is what contender would you like to be traded to lol!
thanks for that breakdown Leon
there were so many more questions we wanted to ask him, but we didn’t want to push our luck and a lot of stuff is quite generic. We wanted to ask him questions specific to NBAMate’s audience and stuff we’ve been writing about him (i.e. the all-star snubs).
Again, big thanks to AB for taking the time. hopefully we do it again one day.
great interview thanks nbamate thanks AB
Respectfully, and I’m trying not to have a go here, but is it that tough to make these kind of interviews not seem generic?
My first thoughts reading were, sure having a poke at him might lead to a slap in the face, but I’d much rather read about that and what Bogut is actually like, than him giving the typical safe media trained answers.
So for me the tone seemed odd.
As I’m sure you know it’s not always just a question of what questions to ask; it’s the way you ask them, so please excuse me if my post above which is basically about tone is way off.
And as I should said before well done JT.
Unlike these other dudes I wouldn’t mind hearing Bogut’s in depth genuine opinion (if he has one) about the state of basketball in Australia, the AIS and Lauren Jackson’s success in the WNBA and how their careers despite being of different sex might have some parallels, or none at all.
I’ve become more of a fan of Bogut the more I’ve get to know him, I just question why a lot of (Especially Australian) sports media don’t really go outside the box with their approach/views on Bogut, he’s portraited typically as a niche, not overly interesting guy, everytime I’ve seen him he’s humble and happy to take the time when reasonable. (Even in that awefully done ONE special where he looked bored as hell most of the time).
I just think maybe he’s much more appealing when you go deeper. Like him donating paying for the cheer squad tickets constantly, or this:
http://phillyhoopstalk.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/andrew-bogut-rips-twitter-mooch/
As for DJ thanks for trying (I guess).
The reason I ask about Irving is not only the possiblity that Irving could be considered somewhat Australian by Bogut (however unlikely), but also beacuse he has Irving on twitter (if you’d bothered to check), so he’s at least aware of his existance.
Good interviews/interviewers don’t ask questions to get answers, they ask questions to get the subject to question themselves, even in some small way.
Michael Parkinson
The DJ Leon Smith!!! cool.
They (the bucks) should run more plays for Bogut.
Break out and get 25pts 13rbs 5asts 3 blks per game. Maybe get stronger and push Howard back?
Dont think it’s going to happen though with SJ on the team?? maybe??
I travelled from Oz to Milwaukee to watch that Celtics vs Bucks game in March last year ‘10′. Sat a few rows behind the Bucks bench. Wore an Essendon look alike jersey in honour of our national hero (Bogut that is, who is an Essendon fan) and he acknowledged me during a time out when he was subbed out and i said g’day. Witnessed the big baby dunk first hand and got my self on many news reels haha. Keep speaking your mind and making this country proud AB. Same goes for NBA mate.
PS. anyone who is a massive bball fan and hasn’t read the Bill Simmons book ‘the book of basketball’ make sure you do. It is brilliant.
AG out
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