Milwaukee’s former number one overall pick, Andrew Bogut, officially called it a career today after 15 years in the NBA. Bogut spent a full six seasons in a Bucks uniform before being traded to Golden State for Monta Ellis in 2012. He went on to spend time on the Lakers, Mavericks, and Cavaliers (one game) as well. He ended up winning a championship with the Warriors in 2015. Here we pay homage to the Bucks’ most recent number one pick by recapping his Bucks career.
Beginning of Bogut’s Career
In 2005, Andrew Bogut played in all 82 regular season games for Milwaukee. He started in 77 games, averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game. From there his impact would grow almost every year after. He increased his minutes, points, and rebounds the next two years while starting every game he played in. Bogut was a promising young player and appeared to be a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s future.
In 2007 he sprained his foot and ultimately had to be held out for the final few games of the season. In the following year Bogut’s bad luck continued and he broke his back, only playing in 36 games for the season. As if that wasn’t enough, Bogut had a freak accident towards the end of 2009/2010 season. After a dunk, Bogut got bumped and injured himself trying to break his fall. Resulting in a broken hand, sprained wrist and dislocated elbow. Before he dislocated his elbow Bogut was a Third Team All-NBA Center, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. It was after this season where his individual play began declining.
The End of an Era
The following year Bogut was able to play fairly well, averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds in addition to 2.6 blocks per game. Playing well offensively down low and defending the rim very well, he was the prototypical ideal center at the time. Back when the NBA wasn’t as focused on spacing on offense and three point shooting, centers typically stayed in the paint on both sides of the ball. Despite getting close to his production before injury, he would never match his point totals of the previous year.
Early in the 2011-2012 season Bogut was injured yet again. During a game against the Houston Rockets he stepped on Kyle Lowry’s foot. This resulted in him rolling his ankle and fracturing it just 12 games into the season. After this injury the Bucks decided to move on as it appeared Bogut would never be able to stay healthy. They traded him to Golden State along with Stephen Jackson for Monta Ellis, Kwame Brown and Ekpe Udoh.
In the end the move ended up being good for both sides. The Bucks made the playoffs with the addition of Ellis to their backcourt while Bogut went on to win a championship with Golden State in a more defensive-focused role. Nobody can question his character and attitude, Bogut always played his heart out. Furthermore, I believe that if not for all the injuries he might’ve become an All-Star. Finally, Bogut should be remembered fondly by Bucks fans for who he was on and off the court.
CONGRATULATIONS, ANDREW!
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