Bogut was starting at power forward in the absence of injured Joe Smith until three games ago. But when Smith returned last week, Bogut came off the bench. Fine by him, he says. He figures he can afford to be patient. He is averaging 7.5 points and 8.3 rebounds — similar numbers to Bradley — but is drawing praise from media and coaches alike. In his NBA debut he got 13 points; the next night he pulled in 17 rebounds.

"He's been doing well," said Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts. "He'll have his ups and downs but he's going to be a good player."

Stotts added that Bogut is "a team guy and he wants the team to do well. That's his greatest strength."

In other words, so far he is fair dinkum — Australian slang for the genuine article.

"I've been struggling lately," Bogut deferred.

Indeed, there are signs Bogut is poised to do fine in Milwaukee — the place he says was his second choice to play professionally (behind Utah). His jersey is available in the merchandise stands for a pricey $220. Likewise, plans are in the works for a Bogut Bobblehead that will retail at over $30.

If he does well, people will soon be going bonkers over Bogut.

Although his Salt Lake reunion wasn't the performance he hoped, don't expect him to complain or elaborate. Don't expect him to lose any sleep, either.

That's not his way.

Was he nervous? Worried?

He didn't really say.

That's for worrywarts, Mate.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com