Bogut’s at the top of his game

Andrew Bogut, pictured here with seven-year-old fan Noah on a visit back to Melbourne, has been named to the NBA All-Defensive second team of the year after excelling with the Golden State Warriors. 102168

By JARROD POTTER

STILL shining after 10 years in the best league on the planet, Andrew Bogut’s defensive prowess has been reinforced by selection in the NBA All-Defensive second team of the year.
Adding another accolade to his jam-packed trophy cabinet, Bogut, 30, originally from Endeavour Hills, was named to the team after a strong season with Golden State Warriors.
As one of Australia’s premier players in the National Basketball League (NBA), the 2005 number one draft pick continues to excel defensively this season for the Warriors.
Bogut accrued 6.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.69 blocks to push his case for all-team selection and earned 33 first team votes and 36 second team votes to finish on 102 points and book his spot in the side.
That selection also resulted in a very handy pay-day for the versatile centre.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Twitter the 213cm powerhouse would receive a $1.93 million bonus for making the All-Defensive second team after already passing the other contract trigger – playing 65 games minimum for the season.
Bogut’s Warriors are 1-0 up in the current NBA Western Conference Playoffs and face the Houston Rockets in game two tomorrow morning AEST from 11am.
It is Bogut’s first Conference finals series in his 10-year career and a Golden State series win would earn the Warriors’ centre his first appearance in the NBA Finals series against either Cleveland or Atlanta.