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Bogut Back for Golden State but Still a Wounded Warrior
January 28, 2015
Golden State stand tallest in the NBA’s Western Division but Aussie Andrew Bogut’s season has been far from giant. After missing 12 straight games with chondromalacia and bone edema in his right knee, illness has now sent the star to the sidelines. The 30 year old was a late withdrawal against the Chicago Bulls in his side’s last outing after coming down with a case of ‘Man Flu.’ Bogut has missed more than a quarter of the Warriors 2014/2015 campaign. He is expected to be back promptly and while the Warriors are still the best in the West they’ll want their 7-footer to remain on the court continuously.
Bogut Withdraws Minutes Before Chicago Showdown… NO BULL!
Bogut’s been a regular for Golden State since returning on January 8 after his month long injury absence, missing just one encounter. And he appeared all set to play against Chicago before withdrawing just 3 minutes before tip-off with flu like symptoms, despite being introduced in the home team’s starting lineup moments earlier. The centre may sit out the Warriors next game against the Jazz in an attempt to recover fully.
The hosts were gallant without their big man against a team featuring two 7-footers of their own in Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. But the centre was missed on the boards with the Bulls out rebounding their opposition. Chicago Eventually snatched a dramatic overtime win 113 to 111.
Bogut Back in 2015
The New Year saw a fresh start for Bogut. He’s played 9 of 11 fixtures in 2015 and the Warriors have won every game he’s featured in, with losses against the Bulls and Thunder in his absence. In a team in top form the 2 metre monster has been pulling his weight, bagging 13 rebounds, 13 points and 4 assists against the Celtics in his last outing. While his minutes have continually increased since making his return against the Pacers the Warriors aren’t likely to take any risks on their supersized centre especially as they’ve virtually locked in top seed in the Western Conference. The Australian is averaging around 25 minutes but it’s some of his other stats that show his importance to the team. Bogut is Golden State’s best rebounder reeling in almost 9 per game while he also leads the team in Blocks per game with 2.
Warriors Winning Percentage Best in the League
With 36 victories from 43 games the Warriors have the best winning percentage in the league. They’d racked up a franchise record 19 straight home wins before losing to the Bulls in Oakland however that defeat was just their second since Christmas day. The Warriors are around even money favourites to finish first in the West while they’re also on the bookies top line of betting to take out the NBA Championship.
With or Without Bogut the Warriors can win it all and get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 1975. But if the Aussie can play regularly, especially in the playoffs, Golden States chances of becoming the NBA’s best will dramatically increase.