Bogut riding the highs and lows of coaching

Just like he did as an NBA champion, Andrew Bogut has made all the right moves in his new coaching role at the Sydney Kings.

Bogut is learning the ropes in his first season as an assistant coach under seven-time NBL Coach of the Year in Brian Goorjian.

One of Australia’s greatest ever players, Bogut remains a co-owner of the Kings following a two-year stint as a Sydney player from 2018.

“Sitting on the sidelines, the passion had always been there as an owner. I also had my podcast talking about the game,’’ Bogut said.

“It’s fun to talk about the game but not being in the inner sanctum was something that was starting to get me a bit itchy.

“I had been away from the game for five years as a player. You fly in, fly out as an owner and come to games every now and then, but to me, it wasn’t the same.

“You don’t have that blood, sweat and tears on you. You are involved, but you don’t have that inner sanctum feel of all the ups and downs, and that’s what I missed.

“There was an opportunity there to be an assistant coach and do something that is unique, which was kind of my whole career, doing things outside the box.

“Being an owner and an assistant is obviously treading a dangerous line, but I think if there was anyone capable of handling it, it’s me. I think I adjusted well in that role.”

As a Kings player, Bogut led the club to a finals appearance in 2019, a minor premiership in 2020, and their first Grand Final appearance since 2008. He was also the recipient of the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2019.

An NBA championship winner with the Golden State Warriors, Bogut said he now feels comfortable with his coaching role at the Kings, saying it suits his lifestyle and family in Australia than back in the United States.

Bogut played 783 NBA games from 2005-2019 for the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.

“If I got offered an NBA Head Coaching deal tomorrow, I’d probably would have taken it,’’ Bogut said, before settling on Sydney.

“The NBL was a perfect scenario for me to get back involved and get my feet wet. It’s one or two games a week, and you’re home five to six days a week even if you travel.

“That lifestyle was very important to me. I’m not coaching for money, I’m not coaching for the accolades, like I’m coaching for the love of the game.

“I’m not doing this for a pay check, I’m not doing this to climb the ladder, or for any other reasons."

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