Andrew Bogut at “85-90%” is Still Better Than Most Centers in NBA

Andrew Bogut made his home debut in Dallas on Tuesday night as the Australian showed off his defense, rebounding, and playmaking ability.

With Andrew Bogut making his Mavericks debut in Wisconsin on Saturday, he was more than ready to make his home debut on Tuesday against the Thunder. After having somewhat of a sluggish game in Wisconsin, Bogut didn’t disappoint in Dallas.

From the opening tip, Bogut was all over the court as he was guarding Enes Kanter in the post and making plays on offense. Even though he struggled scoring the ball, Bogut displayed an all-around game that the Mavericks haven’t had in a very long time at the center spot…maybe ever.

“I thought Bogut was great. Not a lot of scoring, but huge impact on both ends. The rim protection, the charges taken, rebounding, starting our break. He’s really an unusual playmaker at the center position on offense. Just really amazing feel for the game and vision. Just a very, very unique player” -Rick Carlisle after the game.

On one play in particular, Bogut grabbed the board on one end, brought the ball up the court, and threw a perfect one-handed pass hitting a cutting Devin Harris for the layup.

At that point, if fans didn’t love Bogut already, they did now.

Bogut finished the game with four points, eleven boards, three blocks, and three assists on 16 minutes of play.

After icing up and sitting out the second half, Bogut still admitted after the game that he isn’t 100% yet.

When asked at his locker after the game about what he has left to get to 100%, Bogut mentions just conditioning.

“I have a little bit to go conditioning wise.”

Rick Carlisle admitted that he might have pushed Bogut a little too hard, but it was something that needed to be done.

“I pushed his limit and pushed his minutes a lot in the first half because I thought he needed the game conditioning. He pushed through really well.”

Although Bogut played only the first half, you could tell the big man was winded towards the end of the second quarter. Bogut got looks beside Nowitzki in a starting unit type of lineup and Barnes in a small ball lineup that Dallas looks to roll out a lot this season.

When asked by ESPN about his drop pass between his legs backwards to Deron Williams for the open three, Bogut said that has been part of his game for many years.

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“It’s part of me the past 4-5 years, especially having Steph and Klay.”

The play brought great applause from the crowd, but was something Bogut has been doing in Golden State with two of the best shooters in the league.

Of everything that has circled around the Kevin Durant decision and Harrison Barnes’ (undeserving or deserving) max contract, Andrew Bogut coming to Dallas is going under the radar.

Playing on a team with Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green, Bogut was simply looked at as a role player. Dallas looks to bring out the former first overall pick and show that he is more than a role player.

One thing was very clear last night; Andrew Bogut at “85-90%” is better than most centers in the league at 100%.