Sydney Kings star Andrew Bogut has declared he will let his basketball do the talking after criticism from Perth Wildcats centre Angus Brandt.
And Bogut says he will enjoy being the target for the vocal Perth crowd tomorrow, revealing he is a believer in home fans booing.
Brandt today described Bogut as a “pest” who “carries on like a bit of a pork chop”.
Bogut infuriated Perth coach Trevor Gleeson during last week’s match in Sydney when he entered the Wildcats’ on-court huddle during a delay in play to eavesdrop on their plans.
The NBL fined Gleeson $500 for shoving Bogut out of the way.
Brandt pointed to Bogut’s social media posts as an example of him carrying on “like a bit of a pork chop”. He said the Sydney star was a role model for children as the face of the NBL but seemed to enjoy deliberately agitating people.
“He seems to get off on ruffling feathers and getting a reaction and a rise out of people,” Brandt told TABradio.
“If that’s his personality, then good for him.
“I’m a fan of his basketball but some of the things he does off the court, they’re not things I would do personally.
“It’s not my character to act in a certain way.
“He does things off the court I don’t particularly agree with.”
At Perth Airport tonight, Bogut said Brandt had a right to voice his opinion but the comments lacked facts.
Bogut said the real battle would be on the court.
“We’ll let our basketball do the talking,” he said.
Gleeson said he would continue to address his players during breaks in play tonight even if Bogut attempts to listen to the instructions.
Brandt admitted there was nothing the league could do to stop Bogut eavesdropping.
“As he said in the game, he’s allowed to go anywhere on the court,” Brandt said.
“But I think it’s one of those unwritten things that you don’t be a pest and walk over to the other team’s huddle.
“All teams do it — have a quick huddle if there’s a stoppage in play, even if it isn’t a designated time-out. I think he was just instigating, trying to get under our skin.”
The focus on Bogut in the last week will make him the target of Perth’s packed crowd.
Bogut said he’d welcome any negative reaction tomorrow.
“I’m a big advocate of booing so if they want to boo, go for it,” he said. “If you’re a visiting team and you get booed, it’s part of the home court advantage for that team. Whatever they want to do, I’ll enjoy the atmosphere.”
Bogut made light of Brandt’s criticism during the journey over, tweeting a picture of the in-flight menu and saying he was going to choose the pork.
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