Andrew Bogut calls for the NBL to lead the way and publicly reveal players’ pay

The players won’t like it and the leagues won’t agree with it, but Andrew Bogut says it is time to make athletes salaries public across all Australian sports.

• Rival coaches slam Sydney Kings’ stacked NBL roster
• Kings take pay cut to seek championship with Bogut

It’s time to stop the secrecy and make athletes wages public across all Australian sports. But for now, lets start with the NBL.

As much as players won’t like it, I don’t think having salaries released is the worst thing although I know it’s something that the league and most players won’t agree with.

I think fans would get even more involved. It would spark debate, and have the NBL talked about even more.

Live stream selected games of the 2019/20 NBL Season with ESPN on KAYO with your TV, Mobile, Tablet or Laptop. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Andrew Bogut says it is time for the NBL to lead the way regarding transparency of player salaries. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

We would probably be the only sport in Australia that would do it, and I know the NBL likes to do things that other league are not, for example live coverage of in-game time-outs.

Sure, it sucks having your salary printed in a newspaper but there are plenty of positives.

I know the AFL still doesn’t put salaries out. It is just approximates but I think transparency is important.

Here at the Sydney Kings we get smashed all the time about “being far over the salary cap”, but I can assure you that isn’t the case.

In saying that, it would definitely help if wages were made public, because it would instantly kill the speculation fuelled by clubs who choose to go way under the salary cap to save money, then complain when they lose games.

Rival @NBL coaches have accused the @SydneyKings of having a roster worth four million dollars more than any other team — despite being able to spend the same amount as the ladder leaders. @telegraph_sport. #NBL20 https://t.co/z30tjDZxPi

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) November 14, 2019

Fans would then see if some clubs are over the cap, and even if they are, the bonus would be the luxury tax would then be spread among other clubs and the league.

But at the moment it is all a guessing game – who is over the cap, who is under and who is benefiting from the luxury tax? Where exactly is the luxury tax going?

One talking point with salaries being released will result in heavy conversations about a player earning too much or not enough when correlated to their performance. This is life in the sports world. I believe even though it won’t always result in positive talking points, the more spoken about our game, and the NBL in general, the better.

BALL ON TRACK FOR DRAFT

LaMelo wasn’t particularly great in the first half against us last Sunday but he didn’t let that slow him down in the second half. He continued to be aggressive and ended up playing a very influential role to keep Illawarra in the game.

He did a really good job of attacking the paint and making good decisions. I think his biggest value is as a playmaker. I don’t think he will be a big time scorer in the NBA but he is a guy who can run a team and get his teammates the ball when and where they want it. The biggest thing that stood out for me was the fact LaMelo makes the right decision with the ball almost every time down the floor.

LaMelo Ball may not be a big time scorer but he has impressed Andrew Bogut with his decision making with ball in hand during his stint in the NBL. Picture: Brett Costello

He was really good finding the open man when we threw numbers at him, and also was aggressive taking his own shot when he needed to.

For me he is a very similar player to his older brother Lonzo. Having played with Lonzo at the Lakers, he was very good at playmaking and making the right basketball play.

It might not get his team the big stat or highlight but he makes the right play.

I think both brothers have got really high basketball IQs.

You can see that LaMelo understands the game really well and he plays with a freedom about him.

I think this season for him in the NBL is going to help his draft stock but it will also really help his overall game playing against men.

Lamelo Ball is Currently Ranked
18th in Points
2nd in Assists
11th in Rebounds
1st in Steals
1st in AST/TO Ratio

Future #1 Pick in 2020 NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/GrVuhLrz2U

— UniquESports+ Featured (@SportsProvlder) November 20, 2019

He is also benefiting from being on the other side of the world without his family which forces you to grow up fast.

Funnily enough, that is what every Australian athlete that plays in the NBA goes through.

That plays a big part in maturing you, albeit very quickly. You learn how to be self-sufficient.

Obviously defensively he is still learning the game. He is only 18 years old and I don’t think he has been in a program that has emphasised defence.

But he will pick that up pretty quickly. Once he gets drafted they will drill that into him.

LaMelo’s shooting is inconsistent. That is probably the only knock on him.

Right now the way that the NBA and basketball in general is evolving, point guards need to be able to shoot the ball.

FEATURE: Inside the Las Vegas meeting that has paved the way for LaMelo Ball @MELOD1P to grow up, shatter stereotypes and discover his love for chicken schnitzel and lemons on his way to the @NBA draft via the @NBL’s @IllawarraHawks. #NBL20 https://t.co/UbR15iCxWL

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) November 16, 2019

Whether he changes the way that he is shooting it, I’m not sure, but his three-point shot is an inconsistency.

I’m sure he knows that, and he is working on it, but is something that will definitely be a point which will be critiqued going into the draft.

I don’t believe his level of Basketball IQ can be taught or drilled, and that in itself, mixed with his talent will see him go high in the draft.

I believe the long-term success of the Next Stars program is riding on where LaMelo and RJ Hampton go in the draft.

I believe LaMelo will be a top ten talent for sure but where he falls exactly I couldn’t tell you because I don’t follow College basketball much at all.

If LaMelo can go No. 1 that would be history-making for the NBL and the Next Stars program. It will most definitely prompt more kids to look at Australia and the NBL.

My question: will the one-and-done rule be scrapped eventually? I think yes, within the next five years it will be for a long list of reasons.

But until then, the NBL has a great thing going and they need to keep promoting it as much as they can.

Originally published as Andrew Bogut calls for the NBL to lead the way and publicly reveal players’ pay