Andrew Bogut: Ezi Magbegor has chance to shine in Tokyo after Liz Cambage withdrawal from Opals

Liz Cambage’s withdrawal is a huge blow for the Opals’ hopes of a medal in Tokyo. But Aussie basketball’s future will get a chance to shine on the biggest stage, writes Andrew Bogut.

I don’t hate Liz Cambage by any means.

Do I dislike the way she goes about things, sure.

I’m also sure she would say the same things about me, but I can separate that from the fact that she is one of the best players in the world.

That is life. That is being an adult.

Liz’s withdrawal from the Olympics will hurt the Opals, but I also think there is more to this story beyond the mental health.

LISTEN TO ANDREW BOGUT’S PODCAST SERIES ROGUE BOGUES BELOW

Everyone knows she has got mental health issues, even leading into her withdrawal from the Olympics, and you want her to get healthy, but at the same time mental health doesn’t excuse poor behaviour and behaviour detrimental to the team and the people around you.

I think separating the mental health issues she has from the reason why she isn’t playing is something that needs to be talked about.

Mental health is not the sole reason why she isn’t playing in the Olympics.

That is a touchy subject that people feel like they can’t talk about, but I think we all need to have a discussion about this, and not just in the Opals context, but in society and life.

You have mental health issues, and everyone respects that so you can take your time to go and get some help, but it doesn’t mean that you can behave how you like.

We all make mistakes. I have made a boat load. You own them, admit them and try not to make them again, and you move on.

There are also consequences to these actions, mental health or not.

This is especially the case when it was reported there were team meetings by the Opals own players and coaches regarding Liz being stood down, just days before she left the team for mental health reasons.

I think most people can read between the lines that Liz was going to be gone regardless of the who, what, how, why and when……. and the PR messaging around it.

Having mental health issues does not mean you cannot be criticised.

Poor behaviour and engaging in poor team culture can be a separate issue from mental health. Yes, ones behaviour can be erratic when facing a mental health battle, but this does not give you permission to behave in the way Liz reportedly has.

Watch every single game of the NBA Finals Live with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Liz Cambage pulled out of the Olympics, citing mental health reasons. Picture: Supplied/Edelman PR

I believe her withdrawal from the Olympics, in my opinion, is the repercussions of her behaviour.

Most people that have connections within basketball have heard the stories and they are not good, specifically some of the language used in the game against Nigeria.

Liz has said that it isn’t all true, but what gets lost in all of this is that Basketball Australia were discussing to send her home, which I believe was led by the majority of the players.

BA looked into it and that is when Liz has put out her statement that she is leaving due to mental health.

I’m by no means diminishing what she is going through mentally, and think with so many people in Australia struggling in lockdown they have empathy for what she is going through, but there are two separate issues here.

Bogut and Cambage share a laugh in 2019. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Liz’s withdrawal is a blow for the Opals though because she is one of the best female players in the world.

Whenever you take out a player of her calibre, especially in those games that are going to be tight like a US game, you want to have a superstar that you can throw the ball to.

Liz is a dominant force, not only in the Olympics, but in the WNBA against girls her size and with the same athleticism.

She would be a loss for any team. This Olympics is a prime opportunity for the Opals to at least medal, if not get gold, and a player of her calibre now not playing will obviously limit our medal chances.

The Opals however showed impressive signs of fight in the final exhibition win over Team USA.

Ezi Magbegor was great replacing Liz in the five spot and Ezi is the team’s future.

Ezi has continued to get better and better and from what I understand she is a fantastic person; the girls love her and she is a fantastic teammate.

Like all good sporting teams alike, I think it’s important the Opals set a precedent with their culture following Cambage’s exit and the alleged incidents in camp.

From experience, building culture within teams is hard.

You can have a veteran that is doing things that they shouldn’t and not buying in and it can create a trickle-down effect to where a 19-year-old comes into the system and thinks, ‘oh, this is the Opals, or this is the Boomers’ and this is normal so I can now conduct myself the same way once I’m the superstar.

Cambage is one of the best basketballers in the world. Picture: AFP

Bogut is one of Australia’s most-decorated basketball exports. Picture: AFP

We see that in the NBA with rookies coming in and having veteran leadership that isn’t great and then as soon as they get a bit of power, they do the same thing to the younger players.

So, it is slippery slope and at times I think you have to make a stand for the betterment of the future even if it could hurt you in the short-term.

I think Basketball Australia is in a very tough spot. It is a similar spot to the Ben Simmons situation.

Does BA put out a statement that pisses off Liz and then she comes out and says I’m never playing again and puts something out about the coaching or admin?

I think that is what they are afraid of, more negative PR.

Obviously, Liz’s brand is infinitely bigger than Basketball Australia’s and her reach to get some bad publicity for BA is significant and I think that is a concern.

I’m not sure if we’ll see Liz play for Australia again, but I hope so.

I think you have to separate what has happened off the court, with her antics at times and even with my relationship with her.

She would be that piece that helps the Opals get to the top of the mountain and that is why it is disappointing that a week out from the Games she withdraws.

It is just a major distraction for the team, but I’d like to see her don the green and gold again.

Originally published as Andrew Bogut: Ezi Magbegor has chance to shine in Tokyo after Liz Cambage withdrawal from Opals