NBA: Bogut and Simmons share same mission

Andrew Bogut and Ben Simmons are at opposite ends of their careers but they’re on the same mission.

Andrew Bogut poses in his new Los Angeles Lakers singlet. Picture: AFP.

Andrew Bogut and Ben Simmons are based on different US coasts and are at opposite ends of their careers but they’re on the same mission.

Ahead of the new NBA season, the two Melbourne-born former No 1 draft picks are hellbent on proving their doubters wrong.

Bogut, a 32-year-old veteran entering his 13th NBA season, and Simmons, the 21-year-old rookie yet to play a game in the elite league, appeared at their respective teams’ media days this week.

Bogut donned one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ iconic purple-and-gold singlets — just as great centres of the past Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal had done — at the team’s new practice facility near LA international airport.

“Finances were not a huge reason why I signed,” said Bogut, who accepted a one-year $US2.3 million ($2.9m) offer. “I wanted to let people know in the league I can still play at a high level and to show everybody I’m healthy.”

His last big contract was a three-year, $US36m extension in 2013 with Golden State Warriors.

The 213cm tall Bogut is one of the NBA’s dominant rim protectors but injuries have dogged his career including breaking his leg last season less than a minute into his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On the east coast, Simmons is eager to get on the court after sitting out the Philadelphia 76ers’ entire 2016-17 season with a broken foot.

Simmons had an ominous message for fans who might have forgotten the 208cm-tall talent

“They’ll remember,” he said.

AAP