Andrew Bogut a must for Boomers at Rio Olympic Games, even if he’s only half fit, insists Patty Mills

NBA and Boomers star Patty Mills wants Australia to take Andrew Bogut to the Rio Olympics even if the big man only pulls up half fit for the competition.

Andrew Bogut pulled up hurt during the NBA Finals series three weeks ago.

NBA and Boomers star Patty Mills wants Australia to take Andrew Bogut to the Rio Olympics if the big man is even half fit.

San Antonio Spurs guard Mills will partner Maryborough’s newly crowned NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova in the back court as Australia shoots for its first men’s basketball medal in Rio.

But, as 213cm centre Bogut battles a knee injury that forced him out of the final two games of the NBA finals with the Golden State Warriors, Mills said an injured Bogut was better than no Bogut at all.

``I don’t think, for our Australian team, he needs to be 100 per cent healthy to make an impact for us,’’ he said.

``He can be 50 per cent as long as he doesn’t re-hurt it or anything.

``His presence is key for our team to be able to make an impact and that’s the biggest thing for us, I think.’’

Bogut was expected to miss six-12 weeks of basketball after suffering bruising in two knee bones during a collision in game five of the best-of-seven Finals series three weeks ago.

The Warriors, exposed in the key at both ends in his absence, went on to lose the next two games and the series to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.

In a race against time, Bogut this week joined the Boomers training camp in Melbourne for non-contact work while he continues his rehabilitation.

Bogut’s physical presence in both keys is vital to Australia’s medal chances.

Mills said the prospect of playing in Rio without Bogut was daunting.

``He would obviously be a big loss for any team that he’s on because he’s such a big presence and a dominant force,’’ he said.

``You saw his absence in the NBA Finals and how much he was missed there so of course he would be missed.

``But before even getting to that point he is doing all he can rehab-wise to make sure he is healthy.’’

As Australia prepares to compete in an Olympic group containing the powerful US, China and Venezuela, Mills told the Herald Sun Bogut could help by playing a limited role, perhaps coming off the bench.

``Anything would be great for us mate,’’ he said.

He was excited to be going to his third Olympics and said the squad had rallied behind their mission to put Australia on the podium.

``This one has got a different feeling to it because we’re on a mission,’’ he said.

``We’ve got a goal that we’re trying to achieve and a goal that everyone has really bought into and really believes that we can achieve.

``We’re all on the same page with that and we’ve got our game faces on to try and achieve it.’’

Originally published as Andrew Bogut a must for Boomers at Rio Olympic Games, even if he’s only half fit, insists Patty Mills