If you believe the cover story, then Bogut came back to Australia to play less game and get his body right for the WC and Tokyo.
Maybe it shouldn't have taken the extra NBA gig at the end of last season?
He had a very full-on WC, and now this season really seems to have taken its toll.

Does anyone know when the warm-up games start for Tokyo?
He should have 3~4 months to rest & rehab, IF he's managed correctly.

He doesn't look right at the moment. Clearly there is an injury of some sort bothering him that is affecting him both physically and mentally. If he were in his current form I would absolutely not put him on the team because he'd be a liability. But luckily there should be a few months between the Finals and any kind of training camp so I think he should use this time to recuperate and turn down any offers he may get from literally anywhere until then.

He's not an idiot, either. I believe if he feels like he's going to play like this he'll decline to play for the Boomers. One of two things are happening - he's either overdone it and needs a rest, or he's completely hit the wall as a player and there will be no improvement, and he's over. So I guess the answer is "no" he's not a lock. But I think he'll be given every chance to prove himself and I think he'll do the right things by the team in the coming months for this to come to the right conclusion.

I expect he will make the team and be in much better form, though. But you're only getting 10-15 solid minutes from him per game at this point so there's definitely room for a 3rd option at center.

There is no way that he makes training camp and doesn't get selected for another Olympics, he's far too important to the psyche of the Boomers than say Motum or Newley that missed out in previous tournaments.

If Bogut gives us 15 minutes per game then fantastic, he will give his all and play smart and maybe set a few solid picks and get Mills and Cotton open, and he provides elite passing and defence.

We've heard in other threads that we need Maker or Bolden and Landale fits here too that they can get the extra minutes with Baynes and Bogut can't get. I'm happy to see what coach comes up with here

Either froling any chance..

Tokyo probs not happening

Regardless of his form, I feel like it would be extraordinary if he wasn't selected. It just seems inevitable that it will go regardless;

The Olympics is a 2 week tournament that starts in 5 mths time. He needs the right preparation and rest, and he'll be OK.

He needs to think like a pro fighter. Rest period, training camp, fight.

Bogut played an important role in 2016 and 2019. There are still behemoths in international ball like Rudy Gobert or Boban Marjanovic. There's a place for a banging, rim protecting big with genuine size. Bogut and Baynes complement each other well.

A few years ago everyone said Manny Pacquiao was done. They said his speed and power had deserted him. They said he'd been declining since 2010 and should retire before his legacy was damaged.

Recently Pacquiao named in The Ring magazine's top 10 pound for pound for pound fighters in the world, at the age of 41. Bogut should take inspiration from that.

But no, he's not a lock.

^^ 100%.

Not a lock but will probably get a last go round in Tokyo.

Imo he should still be selected. I wouldn't mind him just playing 3rd string and giving the team some veteran advice. Almost a playing assistant coach.

I am not 'all in' on having a third string "veteran advisor", because if you have a few injuries, that advisor is going to have to play.

If you're going to get more on court out of Will Magnay than Andrew Bogut at this point, then Will Magnay would be who I take. But with the right recovery I still believe Bogut will effect more things on the court than Magnay, and that's why Bogut remains my choice... for now anyway.

I agree with picking him anyway even if he effectively becomes a glorified assistant coach. The Olympics is only 6 months away if it were 18 months away I think you rule a line through him but if he doesn't play in the NBA again after the NBL season (as looks likely) he will get plenty of time to rest and recuperate before Tokyo.

Also in international competition the rosters are 12 guys and the reality is 2-3 guys on the end of the bench usually don't get in the rotation in a 2 week long tournament so 'gifting' one spot for Bogut won't hurt.

"Also in international competition the rosters are 12 guys and the reality is 2-3 guys on the end of the bench usually don't get in the rotation in a 2 week long tournament so 'gifting' one spot for Bogut won't hurt."

Disagree. You need all 12 ready to go. Look what happened at the world cup. You have Gliddon, Sobey and Barlow who weren't ready to go, and that hurt when the medal rounds came.

I still think Bogut will be the best option, if fit, at the Olympics off the bench. But if he's not. And if there is a guy out there who can give more, then that decision has to be made.

If Bogut is so unhealthy at that point you obviously cant select him.

I see him being healthy enough and skilled enough to play 15-20 mins as the 3rd string if its necessary, and I can also see him being happy to sit on the bench if he isn't required to play.

I think he should be taken into camp and made to prove himself there. If he can give you something close to what he did at the world cup, then it's a no brainer. If he is at the level he's playing at at the moment, you have to give it to someone else. Either way, it pains me to see his decline of late. One of my all-time favourite Australian players but in this finals series he's been closer to Keith Benson.

Baynes will start for Boomers and play 25mins with Bogut good for 10mins.
Thon Maker or Landale can play minutes across 4 and 5 spot.

Hopefully Melbourne win on Thursday so Bogut can get some rest.

Barring injury, he's a lock imo.

Is anyone else getting properly concerned about how coronavirus will affect the olympics? I think the games will go ahead but i wouldnt be surprised if big name players (mostly Americans + Simmons) pull out citing coronavirus concerns.

He might not be a lock, but I think he should definitely be in the mix. He gives you all that NBA and international experience and he is still a genuine 'footer.

And, in the Boomers, he will have better bigs around him than at Sydney so he can play 10-15 minutes and it helps the team , doesn't harm it.

"Barring injury, he's a lock imo.

Is anyone else getting properly concerned about how coronavirus will affect the olympics? I think the games will go ahead but i wouldnt be surprised if big name players (mostly Americans + Simmons) pull out citing coronavirus concerns.

"

It's really up to Tokyo right now to prove that they can contain the virus. It is also a thing where it needs to become less of a social issue. The coronavirus is a problem but I am not sure it's nearly as dangerous as the media is making out. If it continues to be the number 1 issue by May I think we might see it being cancelled.

The Olympics will be cancelled or postponed because of the CornaVirus anyway. No way it will clear in the next four months, so stay tuned for that!

From an Aussie hoops fan living in Asia I can tell you the Australian media is definitely over pumping it. In saying that, some government responses have been less than satisfactory and now the population is paying for it. Compare and contast the response from Singapore vs Korea or Italy. All it takes is good hygiene and a stern government that isn't affraid to take strong action and pump in resources to clean public areas multiple times a day to prevent the spread. The Japanese cruiseliner incident wasn’t a good look, a bit too relaxed. Let’s hope the Olympics go ahead.

Don't underestimate experience at international level in major tournaments.