Andrew Bogut: How the Golden State Warriors Need Him to Reach Promised Land
Andrew Bogut‘s reliability and availability has been questioned and debated since the Golden State Warriors traded fan favorite Monta Ellis for him in March of 2012.
The Milwaukee Bucks made Bogut the No.1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, but his stint with the Bucks was plagued by injuries and questions regarding his true toughness.
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For the Warriors, the trade split up the diminutive backcourt of Ellis and Stephen Curry, who, after a spectacular NCAA Tournament run in 2008, was drafted by the Warriors in 2009, with the 7th overall pick. The trade wasn’t viewed in a positive light (to say the least) by all Warriors’ fans, who not only were upset by the trade of a fan favorite, but the fact Bogut had just fractured his left ankle on January 25th against Houston, and his return to the court was months away.
There was the now infamous bellow of boos directed at new Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob at the halftime ceremony to retire Hall of Famer Chris Mullin‘s No. 17 jersey, just days after the trade. There was a “massive” number of angry emails directed at the new ownership group. However, ownership stood by the trade and promised the fanbase future playoff runs.
“Sometimes change is inevitable and it’s going to work out just fine,” Mullin told the fans.
The emergence of Klay Thompson softened the blow of losing Ellis. Thompson appeared to be a better fit to pair up with Curry. His six-foot-seven frame could be used against the bigger backcourts in ways the tandem of the 6’3″ Curry and 6’3″ Ellis could never be used.
Under the guidance and tutelage of Mark Jackson, the Warriors grew into a legitimate playoff team, and heading into the 2014 NBA Playoffs, seemed primed and ready for their first-round matchup versus their Southern California rivals Los Angeles Clippers. But, everything changed as Bogut would miss the opening round of the playoffs with a broken rib.
The fears of the Warriors fanbase had been realized, Bogut would be unavailable when the Warriors needed him the most against the team many of them hated the most.
For their credit, the Warriors didn’t just roll over and make the series a cakewalk for the Clippers. They battled every night, tooth and nail with the favored Clippers. However, the lack of Boguts’ presence was too much to overcome, and subsequently, led to a dramatic, heart-breaking game seven loss.
The offseason brought changes to the coaching staff. Mark Jackson’s tenure was over. Ownership thought the change was needed in order to achieve the ultimate goal, an NBA Championship. In comes Steve Kerr, the former sharpshooting teammate of Michael Jordan who was part of three Chicago Bulls Championship teams.
Kerr’s job was to make the Warriors a true contender, by making it a more efficient offensive team, while maintaining the defensive tenacity and chemistry that had been developed under Mark Jackson.
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The Warriors’ 2015 season, up to this point, has been viewed as an astonishing success league-wide. Throughout the majority of the season, the Warriors have had the best record in the NBA. They currently hold a 45-11 record after Friday’s 113-89 road win versus the Toronto Raptors. However, this season will solely be judged on the accomplishments made in the playoffs. No longer is just making the playoffs deemed as a successful season. There will be no pats on the back, while proclaiming “we will get them next year” after a second-round exit.
The league consensus is a Conference Finals appearance is a minimum to qualify this season a successful season for the Warriors. Many league experts feel Bogut is the key factor . With Bogut, the Warriors are viewed as title contenders. This chain of thought exists primarily because he gives the Warriors that big body in the paint that can battle down low when the game slows down in the playoffs.
Coach Kerr has implemented a motion offense which incorporates fluid ball movement with constant player movement. Bogut has become a vital part of the teams offensive efficiency. The Warriors are second in the NBA with an offensive efficiency rating of 109.4.
Bogut ability to be a facilitator has given the Warriors a free-flowing offense, that allows them to spread the floor with their deadly shooters. On the defensive end, Bogut gives the Warriors a much-needed rim protector that was incredibly missed against the Clippers last year in the playoffs. The Warriors brain trust has said all year, the goal is to have Bogut “healthy” come playoff time. They know he is the key to a Championship run or an early playoff exit.
So it all comes down to this. Will Bogut take the floor with his teammates, when the Warriors hit the floor during the playoffs. Or will he disappear into night leaving his teammates thinking “Only if” again.