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Bogut More Important than Ever for Warriors

By Carlos Murillo

Jan 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) holds onto a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) holds onto a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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It seems almost impossible for a seven footer to go unnoticed, but somehow Andrew Bogut does that.

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Playing alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green will do that to you. They make the highlights that get people excited. Furthermore, the Warriors are revolutionizing the game, making “small-ball” effective. Their “Death Lineup” (or “Nuclear Lineup” as President Obama put it) with Green at the center position gets all of the attention.

Bogut’s role for the Warriors has fluctuated over his years with the team. Upon arrival, he was the savior, hailed as the Warriors’ first legitimate center since Nate Thurmond.  Then he was a source of much frustration, as his health concerns forced him to miss the 2014 Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. Then he was the forgotten man as the Warriors turned to their small-ball lineup against the Cleveland Cavaliers en route to the championship.

But now, at 47-4, the Warriors need Bogut more than ever.

The Aussie big man had his best game of the season against Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets. He scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. It was on the defensive side of the ball that Bogut completely dominated, blocking 6 shots and coming away with 3 steals. In a game where the Rockets were threatening to break the Warriors’ home wining streak, Bogut was an anchor and a stabilizing force.

The Warriors look like a very deep team. Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala are steadying presences that seem to always make the right play. Leandro Barbosa is instant energy off the bench. Brandon Rush has given the Warriors another floor-spacing option with the revitalization of his career. Ian Clark has produced at times.

Unfortunately for Golden State, none of these players are big men. The Warriors probably had the best center combination in the league, but Festus Ezeli underwent surgery on his left knee and will be re-evalutated in 6 weeks. Ezeli already missed a full season due to injury two years ago. Offseason acquisition Jason Thompson has been awful. Marreese Speights is not the same player he was last year, but he’s still firing away like he is.

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With Ezeli going down and a lack of front court depth, the Warriors need Bogut to produce like he has all season especially over the last month and especially like he did against Houston. Steve Kerr said that Speights will get more minutes in Ezeli’s absence and understandably so. But even if Speights finds his shot, he’s not the defensive force Bogut is. And Green–as effective as he is playing the 5–will get worn down playing extended minutes at that position.

So the Warriors need their defensive anchor to keep them afloat while they sort out their frontcourt depth issues. If Draymond Green is the heart and soul of the Warriors, then Bogut is the immune system, warding off and rejecting anyone or anything that tries to get near. I know, it’s not a sexy comparison. But that’s exactly what Bogut’s game is. He won’t wow you with his quickness and power like a DeMarcus Cousins or his shot like Marc Gasol. But he’ll set the hard screens and block the shots that separate contenders from pretenders.

Next: KD a Wake Up Call for Barnes?

In the midst of rumors that Bogut could be a casualty in a possible Kevin Durant signing, the Warriors need their big man more than ever in his career in the Bay Area if they want to secure a second consecutive NBA title.

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