Andrew Bogut’s signing is good for the NBL, but not the Kings
FORMER No. 1 NBA draft pick Andrew Bogut is one of the biggest NBL signings of all time, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
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OPINION
ANDREW Bogut is one of the biggest signings the NBL has ever seen and his return to Australia will provide incredible revenue for not only the Sydney Kings, but the league as a whole.
His presence will drive ticket sales through the roof with fans flocking from all corners to catch a glimpse of the 2.16m behemoth.
Bogut — who was the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NBA draft — has decided to join forces with the Kings on a two-year deal, snubbing his hometown side Melbourne United.
In signing his new deal he also officially announced his retirement from the NBA.
Andrew Bogut says there are no NBA outs in his deal. No Euro outs, either. He’s committed to the Sydney Kings for two years, and says he’s retired from the NBA.
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) April 24, 2018
Across 13 seasons in the NBA the big man built an impressive portfolio and is one of the greatest basketball players Australia has ever produced.
Since the bombshell announcement on Sunday evening, which was followed by an official unveiling on Wednesday, Bogut’s face has popped up on every key media station with
the Kings’ odds being slashed for the 2018/19 title.
But is the signing of an injury plagued 33-year-old going to help take a Kings outfit that finished seventh last season to a championship? I can’t see it.
At no point during the 2017/18 season did the Kings ever find themselves inside the top four as injuries ravaged their finals hopes.
Former league MVP Kevin Lisch only managed to play nine games during the past season but he, along with Bogut, has been tasked with bringing a title back to Sydney.
The squad, still with many pieces to fill, is trying its best to contain the excitement and keep a lid on its title chances.
“This is the greatest coup in the history of the NBL,” Kings coach Andrew Gaze said.
“I just want the season to get started tomorrow,” star Brad Newley added.
Great day to be a 👑 #KingBogut
— Brad Newley (@BradNewley) April 24, 2018
This is the biggest and one of the coolest thing to happen in the @NBL ! Congratulations @andrewbogut !
— Jason Cadee (@JasonCadee5) April 24, 2018
Even greats of the game are struggling to keep their emotions about Bogut’s return under wraps.
“It’s his presence and notoriety; he gets attention and eyes on the sport,” Australian men’s and Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis told AAP.
“If you said his name to anyone walking down the street I’d be surprised if they didn’t know who he was.
“It ratifies where the league is at and I know we’re already considering where we play that game (against the Kings) because it’s going to be fantastic to see him play live in Australia.”
Former national coach Brian Goorjian was just as excited.
“He’ll help the league; he’ll be good for administration, he knows how to market, promote and he’s great on social media,” he told Macquarie Sports Radio.
“It’s the whole package.”
NOT THE FIRST LEGEND TO RETURN HOME
An Australian sporting icon and giant of the game returns home to ply his trade and help the growth of a national competition.
If that sounds familiar it’s probably because this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this storyline. Cast your mind back to 2011 when one of Australia’s greatest ever football players returned home on a three-year deal with Melbourne Victory.
Harry Kewell’s return was hailed as the most significant signing in A-League history, but despite all of the fanfare the Victory struggled throughout the season.
They eventually finished eighth on the ladder after recording only six wins and they missed out on a spot in the finals.
Kewell only ever played the one season in the league before signing a new deal to head overseas.
WHAT CAN BOGUT PROVIDE ON THE FLOOR?
Bogut’s last season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers saw him manage 23 games with an average of just under 10 minutes per game.
He last took to the floor on January 1 which means it will be around 10 months before he officially takes part in a professional contest.
During his final stint in the NBA he ended with averages of 1.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Despite those lowly numbers, Bogut is aiming to produce a double-double when he kicks his NBL career off.
Throughout his career the towering man in the middle compiled 174 double-doubles, but the last of those came in the 2015/16 season with the Golden State Warriors.
He still has an ability to play above the rim and his basketball IQ will continue to shine as one of his biggest weapons, but it’s hard to ignore the injury plagued career he has had.
This is the biggest and one of the coolest thing to happen in the @NBL ! Congratulations @andrewbogut !
— Jason Cadee (@JasonCadee5) April 24, 2018
Bogut has never been in the lucky category when it comes to injuries and the Kings will be praying his fate has reversed when their season gets going.
No doubt he’ll provide some highlight plays for the Kings and get the fans out of their seats, but this isn’t the first time Sydney has faced pre-season hype.
It was there in 2016 when Andrew Gaze was announced as the head coach, it returned last season with a new look roster and ignited when the team signed Jerome Randle.
The signing of Bogut is only going to amplify the pressure on the team ahead of the upcoming season.
Despite being an absolute legend of Australian basketball, Gaze has come under fire for not being the right man to coach the franchise.
But now, thanks to the presence of a towering Andrew Bogut, the Kings are tipped to bring home some silverware. But will they deliver? I’m not convinced.
Originally published as Andrew Bogut’s signing is good for the NBL, but not the Kings