MIAMI -- It's not always easy to be the first player taken in the draft. There is an expectation that can be hard to live up to.
The great ones seem to thrive under that pressure, players like LeBron James, Yao Ming and Dwight Howard. But then there are players who could never live up to their draft status. They could never deal with being a No. 1 pick disappointment like Kwame Brown, Kenyon Martin and Michael Olowokandi.
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| It's still too early to say if Andrew Bogut is a bang or bust. (Getty Images) |
In his second year, Bogut appears on track to be a solid pro, far from a bust. His numbers are up from his rookie season, and he has made noticeable strides in his game.
But the No. 1 pick from Utah, a native Australian, is disappointed with himself this season. He doesn't believe he has made any improvements from last year.
"It's been pretty tough," said Bogut, who will play for the sophomore team in the Rookie Challenge at the All-Star Game. "It's been a frustrating year for me. I'm putting up decent numbers I guess, but I don't think it's been a good year. It kind of feels like the same as last year to me. The things we're doing within our system, something needs to change because the same thing happened last year. I don't think much has changed from last year."
Bogut averaged 9.4 points and 7.0 rebounds last season in 28.6 minutes per game. This season, he's averaging 12.0 and 8.8 in 33.5 minutes. He's also had some impressive games, with a career-high 27 points against the Bobcats on Jan. 15 and 20 points and 24 rebounds against the 76ers on Jan. 12.
Bucks coach Terry Stotts said Bogut is making strides and finding his way in his second year. Stotts said Bogut has the potential to be a top center in the NBA.
"He continues to grow as a young player," Stotts said. "He's playing more minutes, scoring more points, getting more rebounds. I think he's figuring out his offense on the low block. Like a lot of young players, especially high draft picks, they come into the league very talented, but you expect them to improve. Andrew's done that."
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| The Bucks want more aggression out of their former No. 1 draft pick. (Getty Images) |
The Bucks had no choice but to go to Bogut, and he responded well to the extra touches. But once Williams and Villanueva returned, Bogut went back to being an afterthought.
"One day I'd like to be the focal point," Bogut said. "It's not going to happen here with a guard-oriented team. Right now I'm playing a role and doing it as hard as I can. I don't mind playing a role if I have to. I definitely would like to be a focal point, whether it's next year or the year after or in five years. That's my main goal and that's what I'm working hard to achieve."
Williams said one thing Bogut needs to improve is being more aggressive. And he said the Bucks need Bogut to be successful.
