From Deseret News archives:
Bogut: After a pair of subpar outings, Australia defeats Iran
Facing the prospect of missing next week's quarterfinals with a third-straight loss, Australia (1-2) earned its first — and much-needed — victory, a 106-68 rout of another struggling squad in Iran (0-3), which is making its first Summer Olympics appearance in 60 years.
With the top four teams in each of the two six-team groups advancing to Wednesday's quarterfinals, Australia had earned its share of criticism back home after opening the Beijing Games with back-to-back Group A losses to Croatia (97-82) and Argentina (85-68).
And much of the finger-pointing was directed toward center Andrew Bogut, the former NBA No. 1 pick out of the University of Utah who earlier this summer signed a $75 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bogut, who came to Beijing nursing a very tender right ankle, failed to reach double figures in each of the first two outings. But he broke through against Iran, scoring 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting and adding a team-best seven rebounds in a brief 17 minutes of court time.
He was one of five Aussies in double figures, including an Aussie front line of fellow NBAer Chris Anstey (13 points) and European pro bangers Brad Newley (24 points) and David Andersen (10 points).
Guard Patrick Mills added 15 points and five assists.
No sense piling on Bogut, since he's been hard enough on himself, saying he's spent the past several days feeling "demoralized" after what he labeled as the two worst games he's ever played for his national team.
"I don't think we could have played any worse," he said, adding "it was good to get out and get a win and get it off our backs. I think we've turned the corner."
In Bogut's defense, besides being hampered by the sore ankle, he was a late addition to the Australian national team this summer, with prolonged contract extensions putting his Olympic participation in doubt until the last minute.
Australian coach Brian Goorjian was willing to shoulder much of the Bogut blame.
"Look at (Germany's) Dirk Nowitzki," said Goorjian. "He's an NBA all-star, close to the most valuable player in the league, and he can't carry Germany on his back. This competition is too good. Yao Ming can't carry China on his back.
"What Bogut does in our environment has been my decision and how Bogut was used, and how he was used today has been my decision," he continued. "If it doesn't go well, I think you should ask the coach."
Instead, Goorjian said his team's successes are dependent as much on Bogut's supporting cast.
