© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND — Andrew Bogut admits he has gotten more sentimental as he has aged.
The first time he checked into Oracle Arena as a Warrior, he was part of a late-season trade in an otherwise lost 2012 season. Over the next three years, he became part of the fabric of the organization and its youth movement. Bogut helped facilitate the team’s commitment to defense — which Steve Kerr praised Thursday — and watched that transformation culminate in Golden State’s first NBA title in 40 years. One year later, he was part of Golden State’s 73-regular-season-win team that fell short in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Bogut hasn’t enjoyed the same triumphs since. In the past three years, he has bounced around three NBA teams, battled injuries, and returned to Australia, where he was named the league’s MVP earlier this year.
Since Bogut returned to the Warriors last week, he has been welcomed — among the team, fan base, and Bay Area — like a long-lost friend.
Prior to Golden State’s 112-89 win over the visiting Indianapolis Pacers Thursday, the Warriors displayed a video compilation on the overhead scoreboard dedicated to Bogut, with Kanye West’s “Homecoming” playing in the background. Bogut smiled and waved to thunderous roars. Once he checked into the game at the 1:46 mark in the first quarter, the ovation returned.
Standing ovation in Oracle as Andrew Bogut checks in for the first time pic.twitter.com/IlSKBed4Ao
— KNBR (@KNBR) March 22, 2019
“Obviously, it brings me back, first and foremost,” Bogut said postgame. “And seeing familiar faces, I really appreciate all the fans, not only tonight — just walking around the Bay Area. Old and young, middle schoolers, high schoolers, like everyone is coming up to me and welcoming me back and saying they are happy to have me back, and it’s pretty special. I am very happy to be here.”
“He was welcomed back with open arms,” Stephen Curry said. “He’s part of a lot of Warriors history, winning that first championship, just what he meant in terms of the new regime. It’s definitely nice for him to get back in front of Dub Nation and the fans here at home. Well deserved.”
On Thursday, Bogut played his third game in a matter of four days. He started his first game back and produced a line of seven points, seven rebounds, and a steal in 19 minutes. Bogut played just nine minutes Thursday night, but he snagged seven rebounds and contributed to one of Golden State’s best defensive performances of the season.
Steve Kerr has raved about Bogut’s fitness and overall play, despite him returning to an “insurance-policy role” with DeMarcus Cousins returning from a two-game rest. Bogut still has a role nonetheless, one that could potentially include meaningful playoff minutes when Cousins rests or gets in foul trouble. For Bogut, who helped start the dynasty that has swept the NBA, helping the Warriors win their fourth title will complete the full-circle experience.
“I am happy to be here,” Bogut said postgame, “and hopefully I am talking to you at the end of June, as well.”