June 17, 2007


Although he is surrounded by the trappings of fame, future NBA All-Star Andrew Bogut remains a modest all-Australian boy, David Sygall writes.
In action ... Andrew Bogut.

In MANY ways they seem a perfect match. An Australian NBA star with a predilection for poker and nice cars, and the United States, a land where success is lauded and riches are flaunted.

But while Andrew Bogut's peers easily drop six figures for a piece of jewellery, indulge in tattoos, outrageous cars, gigantic houses - and exude an attitude to match - Bogut lives a quite different life.

Maybe it's because he's new to this environment of private planes, Hummers and bling. Maybe it's because he's been reared well.

But the 213-centimetre 22-year-old Milwaukee Bucks centre, widely anticipated to become Australia's greatest basketballer, prefers simpler pleasures and the kind of lifestyle that keeps him in touch with his past.

It's not that Bogut forbids himself to enjoy the rewards of his success. But everything's relative.

"I like to go to casinos," he says in a deep but youthful voice. "We have a casino in Milwaukee with a poker room. You don't want to be playing too often, of course, but I probably play once a week."

The poker craze sweeping the US caught Bogut last year. He often plays against "the boys". But he does the real business at the casino. You might expect him to play in a separate room for high rollers and famous people. But he doesn't.

"People know who I am when I walk in," he says. "But I'm not the kind of person to expect a private table. I like to play against regular people. When you sit at a table, for the first half an hour you're an NBA star. But, after that, everyone forgets that and just plays cards. I think that's pretty cool.

"Like anywhere, you get good people and there's the people who want to try to take your money. Some people want to play you so they can talk to you. Others want to try to put you in your place."

Bogut has learnt a lot about humanity over the past couple of years. Well before he became the first Australian player to be nominated the No.1 pick in the NBA's draft, wheelers, dealers and agents besieged him, trying to tap into his huge earning potential.

Finally, he signed with smooth-talking David Bauman, of management group SFX, which looks after some of the game's biggest names, including Kobe Bryant.

Yes, there are massive sponsorship deals being negotiated, even though Bogut has a long way to go to truly live up to the hype. He works in an environment in which modesty is secondary, but some light chat with the massive Melburnian reveals a sportsman proud of his foundations and achievements, one who finds solace in normality in spite of the temptations around him.

"We'll finish practice each day around 2 or 3pm and I'll always have some errands to run before the close of business," he says, explaining his average day when the team isn't travelling. "I'm always sending something back to Australia or getting something repaired.

"Then I'll have a nice meal and relax for a while, maybe play cards or go out with friends for a drink.

"I don't really plan my week. I like to be able to do whatever I feel like doing. Other times I'll just stay home and watch a DVD or get on the internet for a few hours and read about cars, poker players, basketballers, read the Australian newspapers …

"When I arrived they gave me a cheque and I got myself an apartment. I've set myself up pretty comfortably. But I really miss Australia, because I have a house with a backyard.

"I'm looking for a house in Milwaukee because I just got a dog, a husky, and I'm not allowed to keep it in my apartment.

"I always wanted a husky when I was growing up. It's a lot of work and they're hard to look after. But that's all part of it, I guess."

This is an unprecedented insight into the life of one of Australia's most private sports stars. Bogut speaks sharply and with conviction. He is mostly serious but does laugh. The apparently rehearsed lines disappear as he relaxes.

"I don't mind talking to journalists if the questions are different," he says. "It's a chance to get your point across, which is a good thing. It gets a bit hard when you're answering the same questions over and over."

It's questions about Bogut's work environment that get him fired up. His sentiments are well thought out, fearless, yet far from complimentary. He is clearly determined not to get swept up and spat out by the system in which he now finds himself.

"The public's image of NBA players is true," he says. "A lot of them get caught up in the hype and do video clips with rappers and all that crap. They want bling bling all over themselves and drive fast cars. But that's just the way the culture is in America - if you've got it flaunt it and if you don't, you can't."

Bogut catches himself. He bought some nice wheels recently and he collects old cars. His father was in the motor trade and recalls how, as a youngster, he and his father would give the thumbs up to people driving cool cars.

"But that's where it stops for me," he says. "I'm not into jewellery. I've got some earrings but they're not too expensive. There are guys who drop a hundred grand for a chain. The public's got it right - a lot of NBA stars are arrogant and like to spend lots of money and have lots of girlfriends and all that.

"The smarter guys don't do that. They like to live a regular life and want to retire and be set up. About 80 per cent of them go broke by the time they retire or come close to it.

"We have compulsory tutoring each week where they teach you to manage your money and they tell you about all the things that can happen to you, people trying to take advantage of you, but it's amazing how many guys totally ignore it. I guess if you're a normal person and suddenly you're getting $10 million a year, it can go to your head.

"But it's just the culture over there. I would never want my child to be brought up in an environment like that, where if you have money you're supposed to flaunt it and make everyone jealous.

"The American attitude is 'We're the best'. That's why the NBA guys who come from other countries, the Europeans, all sort of stick together away from the game."

Bogut may loathe aspects of American culture. But it's not as though he thinks Australia's tall poppy syndrome is a healthy alternative.

"I don't know why, but people do try to cut you down in Australia," he says. "Look at Lleyton Hewitt. From all the things I read about him, I thought he was an idiot. But then you get to a similar position, being around a big sport, and you start to see things a bit differently.

"Whenever I used to read about Hewitt, I'd read that he was all just for himself. But then you start to have people say that about you and you realise it's just the way the media portrays you and there's nothing much you can do about it."

So, what kind of image would you like people to have of you?

"I'd like people to think of me as someone who works very hard, who has gone through a lot of crossroads along the way," he says.

"I clashed with a lot of coaches and people along the way, I've worked a lot and I'm proud of who I am and where I've got to.

"I don't want to be seen as arrogant but I know that sometimes that's how it will come across. I have a lot of respect for the game and I hope it respects me back.

"There are people who can't accept it when you say that you've given up a lot to get where you are. They only see that you're getting paid millions of dollars to play basketball. But as a 15-year-old it's very different. You can't go out, you have to give up friends, you lose childhood friendships because you don't have any time and suddenly you're left with one or two friends. As a young guy, that's pretty hard to get your head around.

"I always wanted to make it in basketball. But then I missed out on the state team and it was turning into a nightmare. I wondered whether it was all worth it and when I was about 16 I wanted to quit. Before that point my dad had said I could stop if I wanted to. But by that time he'd realised my potential and wouldn't let me give up. It all went from there."

Within four years, Bogut went from Victorian junior team reject to NBA star.

"It is an amazing world I'm living in - more crazy than you think," he says, before recounting the draft, his first real taste of his new life.

"The two days leading up to the draft were ridiculous. When you're a top-10 pick there are so many obligations. You have to do a lot of media, promotions for the NBA, promotions for this, that …

"It was a buzz in a way, but I'd never want to relive it."

Our conversation is over and we now know this giant of Australian sport a little better. "One more thing," he says, before saying goodbye. "Can you let me know when this story's going in the paper? I want to let my mum know."


Source: The Sun-Herald


http://www.smh.com.au/news/basketbal...?page=fullpage


http://slamonline.com/online/2007/07...-andrew-bogut/


Monday, July 16th, 2007


An Open Letter to Andrew Bogut


Wizards center and SLAMonline columnist Etan Thomas has a few thoughts for the Bucks’ big man…


by Etan Thomas


Andrew,

When I first read your comments to the Sydney Morning Herald, I didn’t quite know how to react. I wanted to wait and see if anyone else was going to object or have a discussion about your remarks. I was surprised not to see this issue as one of the main topics on ESPN — I guess they would rather talk about other items that are more pressing. I have to say that there are aspects that I agree with and aspects that I take not only offense to, but that are just plain incorrect. You applied sweeping generalizations in your attempts to demonize an entire group of people — or the “80%” you are referencing in your article — into one big negative mass you simply refer to as “American Culture.”

An interesting aspect of the discussion, which was discussed on The Starting Five blog, was that many people began attacking you personally. People began expounding on areas that were otherwise unrelated and impertinent to any of your comments. They began criticizing your game, the fact that you haven’t made the playoffs, your team’s record — all of these irrelevant arguments that had absolutely nothing to do with your point. In addition, people began writing articles saying that you had no right to say what you said, which I also disagree with. You have the freedom to voice your opinion, view, feeling or belief. That’s the whole free speech thing that is enjoyed in this country. And at the same time, I have the right to object.

One part of your comments that I found fascinating was when you said, “The American attitude is ‘We’re the best.’”

Now, when I read that, I thought maybe you were alluding to the audacity of a country to wrongfully and unjustly invade another country. The utter nerve of a country to start a war that has not only failed to bring peace, but has had an overall aftermath that has proven to be more detrimental, disadvantageous and overall unfavorable. I thought about the impudence of a country to feel that their way of democracy is the best and only way a country should be governed, and therefore decided to force their belief system on an entire nation at the hand of a gun. But, I don’t think that’s where you were going.

In your words…

“The public’s image of NBA players is true; a lot of them get caught up in the hype and do video clips with rappers and all that crap. They want bling bling all over themselves and drive fast cars. But that’s just the way the culture is in America — if you’ve got it flaunt it and if you don’t, you can’t.”

“I’m not into jewellery. I’ve got some earrings but they’re not too expensive. There are guys who drop a hundred grand for a chain. The public’s got it right — a lot of NBA stars are arrogant and like to spend lots of money and have lots of girlfriends and all that.

“The smarter guys don’t do that. They like to live a regular life and want to retire and be set up. About 80 per cent of them go broke by the time they retire or come close to it.

I found it interesting that you said you were not perfect, and that you have admittedly bought yourself a nice car, some jewelry of your own, and that you didn’t want to come across as arrogant, but that you also wanted to separate yourself from the image of most players. But, that’s exactly how you came across: You exuded an overall elitist attitude. Your words showed that despite your desire in buying a nice car or jewelry, you viewed yourself as somewhat better than everyone else who does the exact same thing. Buying jewelry — and this is coming from someone who doesn’t even believe in diamonds — doesn’t automatically put you in a category of someone who has gotten “caught in the hype.” In your words, “they want bling all over themselves and drive fast cars,” but you are doing the exact same thing. If I were to look at you with your earrings and your expensive car, would I be right to throw you into the same category as the rest of the “80%” of the league that you were referring to. Or, do you believe you possess a certain quality that makes you different, that sets you apart, even if it appears as though you are involved in the same activity?

The fact of the matter is, nothing is wrong with a player liking jewelry or cars, if that’s what’s you are into. Of course there’s a problem if you do it in excess and don’t save your money or prepare for the future, which is simply not an intelligent method of conducting the business entity of your own corporation. But to say “80% of the them…” — it’s very interesting how you consistently excluded yourself, as if you weren’t part of the league — “…go broke by the time they retire,” is quite an exaggeration.

I don’t know where you are getting your figures from, but you have no idea what investments guys make. You have no idea what way guys are conducting their business. You assume that because you see an excess of “bling,” and I do agree that there is a definite excess, that it somehow translates to us going broke, that simply isn’t true.

Your statement that, “If you want to keep living that lifestyle when you’re 40, but the millions have stopped coming in, you suddenly find your friends are gone and you’ve got nothing” is absolutely true, but, you don’t stop there. You continue to say, “It’s a tough situation for some of those guys, especially the ones who come from the ghettos or tough upbringings.” Again making generalizations and setting yourself apart. You’re equating bad decisions with a “ghetto upbringing,” leading me to believe that you are referring to an exclusive group of players. Interesting.

Then you go on to say, “The smarter guys don’t do that. They like to live a regular life and want to retire and be set up… The American attitude is that we’re the best. That’s why the NBA guys who come from other countries, the Europeans, all sort of stick together away from the game.”

So now you’ve completely drawn the line in the sand. You didn’t say “international players,” you said specifically “European” players. I read that you moved to Croatia when you were 14, so I guess that’s why you are including yourself with the other European players. You didn’t say International players, I guess because that would have included Dikembe Mutumbo, Eduardo Najera, Adonal Foyle, Jamaal Magloire, Desagana Diop, Michael Olowokandi, Luol Deng, etc., and I guess they are not included in your highly exclusive circle of European players you feel more comfortable around.

In your words, “It’s just the culture over there…I would never want my child to grow up in an environment like that.”

Andrew, Andrew, Andrew. The entire country of America is not all the same. Maybe you haven’t been here long enough, but you don’t understand that the world we live in as professional athletes is in no way a representation of the way the majority of the country lives. You keep making sweeping generalizations. What if I were to say that 80% of Australians all share in the racist, hateful, evil treatment of the Aboriginal people of the land? That would be an inaccurate characterization and sweeping generalization, wouldn’t it? I know when I pick up history books, that’s what I see. Current events of the treatment and struggles today of the Aborigines seem to mirror an overwhelmingly consistent evil attitude of the past, but how could I equate a percentage to the entire continent? That just wouldn’t be intelligent or possible.

You’ve been in this country for what, six years now? I am sure that it is easy to jump to conclusions, and I have been told that the actions of the few outweigh the many, but be careful. While I would definitely say that this country is far from perfect, and while it is a fact that this country is hated around the world primarily for the actions, choices and decisions of our leaders, to say that you “would never want your child to grow up in an environment like that” is a bit much.

Over-generalizations are reckless and irresponsible to make.

Something to think about before putting us all in one box.

Etan Thomas is a center for the Washington Wizards and a columnist for SLAMonline.com. You can order Etan’s book “More Than An Athlete” on amazon.com here and through his publisher here.


http://slamonline.com/online/2007/07...-andrew-bogut/

Bogut has shown a habit of talking without thinking first. Even before he played an NBA game he angered a lot of Australian basketball fans by dissing Andrew Gaze and Luc Longley. Bogut makes it sound like he thinks every black athlete is a wanna be thug gangster.

I am still waiting for Bogut to take it to Kobe like he promised.

[Edited by - Pharzeone on 19-07-2007 03:39 AM]

That was a good, thoughtful response.

I love Etan. Very well thought out individual. One of my favorite NBA players. It's so easy to generalize blacks, whites, asians, women, men etc that half the time we don't even know we are doing it. I love that Etan called him out on that. Curious if Bogut would ever respond.

Bogut definitely generalized, but people who jump on him need to realize that what he said is the general perception in Europe and countries like New Zealand and Australia. He just expressed a general European view of America. I come from a European country, too. And I will tell first hand, that way before Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, people felt the same way, for no reason whatsoever.

This view is nurtured by the European politicians who have for years failed to bring similar standards of living Americans enjoyed, and instead demonized the American way of life simply our of jealousy. While we might make mistakes, like staying in Iraq, the hate that we get from Europeans has nothing to do with it. It comes from a deep set inferiority complex.

Mix the deep rooted dark jealousy for Americans, and a healthy dose of European racism, which by the way is far more reaching and fundamental than anything we have here in US, and you get what Bogut says. When it comes to European racism, you have to realize that ours is just a pale reflection. The opinion that Blacks are an inferior race is deeply ingrained in the European culture that it exists on an almost subconscious level among Europeans.

[Edited by - simrud on 07-19-2007 2:01 PM]

It's awesome that Etan Thomas has taken the time from physically beating the holy hell out of Brendan Haywood to verbally beat the holy hell out of Andrew Bogut.

Bogut is young man and as most of young guys he sees the world in black and white colors.
It's easy and it's wrong. But give him some time and he will learn his lessons.
There are a lot of better ways to show that you achieve prosperity but buying huge houses and fast cars.
Like help people in need and support projects to make world a better place.
I mean it is nothing wrong to have a mansion and carry a $200000 chain. This just not making person better in my eyes.
Everybody wants to separate themselves from the crowd and Bogut has his own way.
The time given to professional players to play is short - about 10 years on average
They can get about 50-100 mils out of it. Half will go with taxes, another quarter to pay for live style.
Then they need a lot to pay doctors for braking body parts... It is not easy life Andrew...

I actually have a new business venture that I would love Bogut to get involved with. We are going to go on tv and give people financial advice while playing blackjack at various casino's around the world. Investor's are needed.

young people who have never read a book in their lives, think they have the entire world figured out based on their experiences and what they see on tv. It isnt so simple. Etan handled him very nicely.

I'm gonna take the Michael Moore standpoint on our health insurance system. (Insurance, not technology) and it IS appalling.

I'm not sure Bogut was coming from a racist place as much as a place of someone very very new to the culture surrounding the NBA players - If any of us were dropped in the middle of a foreign culture, maybe our initial reactions might sound extreme to the local ears? (Jamie Foxx in Africa comes to mind - making fun of hygiene.)

There's a LOT of growth we all need on either side of the cultural divide. I think Dr. King's dream was all about having the civil discourse about our different backgrounds, for the sake of learning what makes us all the same - not necessarily having 'winner-loser' debates that leave each side resenting the other...

Now everyone hold hands and sing


[Edited by - knixphan on 07-20-2007 05:19 AM]