Bogut says Boomers under pressure to perform at World Cup
With the likes of Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes all committing to the World Cup Australia’s chances of breaking their medal hoodoo are good. But Andrew Bogut says the big money stars also come with big expectations.
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Sydney Kings star Andrew Bogut says Australian coach Andrej Lemanis faces significant pressure to select a multimillion-dollar Boomers side featuring up to nine NBA players for this year’s World Cup.
Australia’s dreams of ending their medal hoodoo at major tournaments could be realised at the World Cup with the likes of Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes all committing.
Reigning NBA rookie of the year Ben Simmons is yet to commit to the World Cup as he looks to finalise a five-year maximum contract extension with the 76ers worth a whopping $223 million in July.
However, Sixers coach Brett Brown is pushing for Simmons to bring his phenomenal NBA game to the World Cup.
Regardless, the Boomers roster for the World Cup looms as the richest in Australian sport, with the team’s yearly combined salary equating to over $60 million.
Bogut has also declared himself a certain starter for Australia’s World Cup campaign in China this August and September.
The former NBA champion has excelled in his maiden NBL season with the Kings, averaging record numbers as he charges towards MVP honours.
Bogut is excited about Australia’s squad for the World Cup, but stressed there will be major expectation for the star-studded team to deliver results.
He believes coach Lemanis will be particularly under the pump to choose a final 12-man roster from players across the globe.
“Andre is going to be racking his brain,” Bogut said.
“We’ll have at least nine NBA players, guys playing really well in Europe and we’ve got some NBL guys playing well.
“From what we hear Ben (Simmons) probably won’t play in the World Cup but we’ll still have Dante, Joe, Thon, Delly and Baynes.
“It’s exciting but probably the most pressure is on Andre out of anyone.”
Bogut says the World Cup is the perfect chance for the star-studded Boomers to flex their muscles as a global power before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Australia will also play two games against Team USA in Melbourne on August 22 and 24.
It’s a strong schedule that has Bogut brimming with enthusiasm.
“It is a good time for Australian basketball and a good time to be around that stuff,” he said.
“It is an important World Cup for us, just because it fits so well leading into the 2020 Olympics.
“It is also the first official World Cup and we’ll have Team USA in Australia in the lead-up.
“I said from the start that I wasn’t going to play in the qualifiers but the World Cup and the Olympics is definitely something I want to be a part of.”
Bogut revealed he speaks with fellow Boomer Joe Ingles almost daily but the pair is yet to discuss the World Cup at length.
He said the focus was performing in their respective leagues before the team assembles for training camp in August.
“We just want to make sure that everyone is kicking ass,” he said.
“Hopefully one of the Aussies is playing for an NBA championship, the Euro League guys are playing well and the NBL season finishes strongly.
“Then we’ll go from there.”
Before the World Cup, Bogut is focused on leading Sydney to an NBL championship.
The Kings are leading the league after 12 rounds but have a tough home double this weekend against New Zealand and Illawarra.
Bogut faces a blockbuster personal match-up against Breakers big man Shawn Long on Friday night.
Long has scored 33 and 28 points in his past two games, prompting NBL commentator Corey Homicide Williams to declare him the league’s best centre.
No doubt Bogut will have something to say about this when the pair clash at Qudos Bank Arena.
Matt Logue’s strongest Boomers team for 2019 World Cup: (2019 wages included)
G- Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers) — $9 million
C- Andrew Bogut (Sydney Kings)
F- Aron Baynes (Boston Celtics) — $7.2 million
F- Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) — $18 million
G -Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs) — $15 million
BENCH:
Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers) — $12.6 million
Dante Exum (Utah Jazz) — $12.6 million
Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks) — $4 million
Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia 76ers) — $2.2 million
Ryan Broekhoff (Dallas Mavericks) — $1.1 million
Nathan Sobey (Adelaide 36ers)
Chris Goulding (Melbourne United)
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Originally published as Bogut says Boomers under pressure to perform at World Cup
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