Aussies in NBA: Bogut the Grinch denies Cleveland's X'mas
After starting the first two games of the 2015 Finals, Andrew Bogut saw just another 3 minutes of game time and completely sat out the final two games as the Warriors clinched the title. If today's Christmas Day highlight game was indicative of anything, it's that Bogut will be playing an important part in any future Warriors-Cavs games. In 24 minutes, he tallied 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and an incredible 4 rejections, helping the Dubs to a 89-83 victory.
Bogut opened the scoring in the contest, benefiting from Klay Thompson's playmaking ability, before doubling his point total by getting on the end of a Draymond Green lob.
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But in a low-scoring game filled with gritty defensive play, Bogey stood out with a couple of sensational denials of Timofey Mozgov. No presents for the Russian this Christmas!
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Even 'REJECTED' feels like an understatement!
Small ball was what won the Warriors the title last season, but the same trick hardly ever works twice at the very highest level, and the Cavs (or any other opponent for that matter) could pull out all sorts of new tricks if these two teams do indeed meet in the Finals again. Having Bogut ready to play a big role in defending the paint, as he did in this game, could prove to be a difference-maker.
It gives this Warriors team more options and lots of flexibility; they'll run-and-shoot you to death with small ball, deny and keep you honest in the paint if you try to go big. Just because Bogey didn't play much in the last Finals, doesn't mean he won't do so in future playoff matchups.