The last time Andrew Bogut was with the Warriors, he was instrumental in building a dynasty. Now, years later, he’s on his second stint with the club and merely trying to maintain what he originally helped to construct.
Bogut has been thrust into a starting role with the reigning champions after center DeMarcus Cousins was lost indefinitely with a quad injury. And while Bogut has his starting job back, his perspective is completely different. He played in Australia’s NBL before signing with Golden State for its playoff run, and the experience taught him to enjoy the NBA — specifically, playing for the juggernaut Warriors.
Here’s what he told The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss on the subject:
I think just having a better appreciation of the situation I’m in. I think when I was here last time, the pressure of the moment and just the stress of it, I probably didn’t appreciate and enjoy it as much as I should have. Whereas just going back to Australia and playing in a league below the NBA, and seeing how much guys work just to be in that league and how much they enjoy it, I thought, if I get the opportunity again I’ll make sure I enjoy it.
Bogut has certainly looked prepared for his re-entry into the NBA, appearing to be in better shape than during the 2015 and 2016 championship runs in Golden State. The Warriors won it all in 2015 but suffered defeat in the next season’s NBA Finals, after winning a record 73 games in the regular season. Bogut was injured in Game 5 of that series against the Cavaliers, making matters more difficult for the club.
But all the pressure from Bogut’s first run with the Warriors, which reached its peak in 2016, is in the past. A fresh perspective has Bogut enjoying his time in the NBA like he wishes he did before. And it’s a good thing, too.
Golden State will need his presence for its latest title run.
