Bucks.com Mailbag: Andrew Bogut
One day after Marvin Williams was in town, top draft prospect Andrew Bogut stopped by the Bucks Training Center on Monday, June 20, for a morning workout with the team's coaching and basketball staff. Like Williams, it was Bogut's first workout leading up to the June 28 NBA Draft. Following the session, Bucks.com sat down with the 7-1 center to ask him a few questions that YOU helped us write.
How did the workout with the Bucks go?
I think it went pretty well. I didn’t shoot the ball like I would have liked, but I think all of the facets of my game were fine. I think they saw some things they didn’t think I could do, like getting up and down the court and my vertical leap was pretty much on par with Marvin Williams. And people always say he’s very athletic, so … I showed them that I could jump and that I could get down the court.
A lot of fans are curious as to what number you would pick if you came to Milwaukee, seeing as how your traditional #4 is a retired number in Milwaukee.
I honestly haven’t thought about it one bit. I just heard about it the other day and I’m not going to think about it until I’m drafted. It’d be like saying I need to look for a house in Milwaukee today. I’m not going to do that, certainly. So I want to know where I’m going to be at before I start thinking about that.
Speaking of Milwaukee, have you been here before?
I was here for about four days during the NCAA Tournament. And one of my good friends is from Milwaukee. I like it. I like the smaller cities. I’m not a big fan of going to the bigger cities, but you often have no choice. I haven’t really been out yet in the city, but I’ve been to a few restaurants and have liked what I’ve seen.
One fan wrote in and wanted to know what parts of your game you're trying to improve. Are there any specific aspects?
Not really. I think all aspects of my game need improvement for me to be a more perfect player. There’s not just one thing I’m going to be working on. NBA three-point shooting does come to mind. I know I can shoot it – though I didn’t shoot it that well today - and I know I want to incorporate it more into my game.
What's it like being a possible #1 pick, with all of the media and fan hype?
That’s why basketball is such a great game in the States. It wouldn’t be like this in Australia. It’s definitely exciting to be a part of it. At times it can be nerve-racking in a way just because there’s so much to get through, but that’s just part of the job.
Now, you were born in Austraila, but you have Croatian ties?
Yeah. I’ve never actually lived in Croatia, but my whole family is there. My sister and I are first generation Australians. We’ve been to Croatian schools and Croatian community clubs. So we’re basically half-and-half. I speak the Croatian language a little bit and my mom’s cooking is Croatian.
Could you carry on a conversation with Toni Kukoc, a Croatian native?
Probably for a little while. Some of it’s hard. There’s a lot of slang and other parts that I don’t know. And since I haven’t actually lived there, they speak too fast for me. But I could definitely carry on a conversation.
We know you've been asked this hundreds of times before, but what kind of edge does having international experience give you?
You’re playing against men. Fully-developed men that just want to pound you. That’s how you learn. I’ve played against NBA players, too. I’ve played against guys that have been all around the world playing in different leagues and trying to survive. It’s different than the American game. It’s just an experience that’s invaluable. You can’t get it in college or high school. And when you get to the NBA, you’re sort of ready for the banging around and intimidation factor and it doesn’t affect you as much. That’s why I think a lot of Europeans that come over here aren’t affected by the crowds that much.
One fan asked if you like to compare yourself to any particular NBA player. Do you?
I don’t really like to compare myself to anybody. But I guess I’d like to be like a Tim Duncan-type player. He’s fundamentally sound and very good at what he does.
How much are you looking forward to your rookie NBA season?
I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait for it to start. I haven’t played a game since last spring, obviously. Just eager to get started and prove to people that I can play in this league.
