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Aussie Bogut helps Bucks rally to win in NBA debut
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-03 09:38
PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) - Australian big man Andrew Bogut made a
triumphant National Basketball Association debut, helping Milwaukee rally for a
stunning 117-108 over-time upset of Philadelphia.
Australian big man Andrew Bogut, seen here in
march 2005, made a triumphant National Basketball Association debut,
helping Milwaukee rally for a stunning 117-108 over-time upset of
Philadelphia. [AFP] | The 7-foot power forward scored
five of his 13 points in over-time, making 6-of-9 shots and his only free throw
in 37 total minutes. He pulled down nine rebounds and blocked three shots and
raised his game in the crucial moments.
"I didn't have my best game. I have a lot of room for improvement," Bogut
said. "It was a decent effort. Not too bad. It was a lot of new adjustments to
make. I didn't play my best in the first half but I got going in the second."
Bogut, the top selection in last June's NBA Draft, started in his regular
season debut. He was thankful for the eight exhibition games to prepare for the
moment which he described as more exciting than nervous.
"It's just great to be out here," Bogut said. "I was so thankful before the
game to be in the locker room with NBA players. I was just thankful to be living
my dream of playing in the NBA."
Milwaukee's Michael Redd scored 30 points, including a pressure-packed
3-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that knotted the
score 102-102 and forced over-time.
"Our defence was just not up to par the whole night," 76ers coach Maurice
Cheeks said. "Ultimately it wasn't just that last shot that put it into
over-time. But we really never recovered from that shot."
The Bucks, who trailed 102-95 with two minutes to play in regulation, went on
a 20-2 run as the 76ers, led by Allen Iverson's 35 points and 32 from Chris
Webber, missed 15 of 16 shots in 6 1/2 minutes until the final 30 seconds.
"We had our backs against the wall. We showed great character. If we hadn't
worked so hard in practice we would have lost that one by 30," Bogut said.
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