Bogut talks to FIBA.com about his big night
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As noted this morning, Andrew Bogut carried Australia to an 81-78 win over African champion Angola this morning (recap / photos). Bogut made 13/18 fg, 1/2 3fg and 5/6 ft en route to a monster 32-point, 11-rebound performance against the undersized Angolans. Still, the Aussies' needed a buzzer-beating three from guard C.J. Bruton to pull it out.
"All of these preparation games are really important to get a feel for the ball, for the different style of refereeing," he said.
With the win Australia finished atop group A at 2-0 and will play Group B winner Agrentina in the Diamond Ball final tomorrow morning. The Argentines also finished 2-0 and boast a stacked roster that includes Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, and Carlos Delfino. The size of Oberto and Scola should provide a bit more resistance for Aussie's frontcourt trio of Bogut, David Andersen, and Chris Anstey, but Argentina's backcourt should also have its way with the Aussie guards.
"It's more a European style of game and that is different from the Australian and NBA game and we have to get used to that."
- Team USA dispatched a pesky Turkey squad 114-822 this morning in Macao. Michael Redd was a non-factor in making 1/3 fg and scoring four points, but Ersan Ilyasova started for the Turks and contributed 10 points and five boards. Bucks.com has more terrific coverage of all the Olympic action.
- For more on Ilyasova and his future with the Bucks, check out Charlie's interview with Dave Babcock.
- Alex takes a look at the double-edged sword of Charlie Villanueva's perimeter game.
- Ridiculous Upside broke news today that OKC owner Clay Bennett is buying the Tulsa 66ers. The 66ers have been the Bucks' shared D-League affiliate the past three seasons, providing (sometimes) valuable minutes for the development of Ramon Sessions, Ilyasova, David Noel, and (of course) the Damir Markota Experience. The NBA announced in June that Tulsa would be the affiliate for both the Bucks and OKC, but it's not yet clear how OKC's outright ownership will change that. The only other D-League squads owned by NBA teams are the L.A. D-Fenders (Lakers) and Austin Toros (Spurs), and neither shares an affiliation with another team. Every other D-League team has two NBA affiliates, so there's not an obvious alternative for the Bucks. UPDATE: the official press release notes that OKC will have "exclusive rights to assign its players with one or two years of NBA experience to the 66ers."
- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Ramon Sessions, Charlie Bell, and Bob Lanier will be hanging out at the Wisconsin State Fair this weekend.
- The 17th Annual PCC/Milwaukee Bucks Golf Tournament to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be held September 22 at Ozaukee Country Club. Check out the link for information on how you can take part.