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NBA: 30 greatest international players in league history

By Daniel Lubofsky

SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Guard Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Guard Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Andrew Bogut
Andrew Bogut (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Greatest international NBA players of all time: 28. Andrew Bogut

Despite having been selected with the No. 1 overall pick back in 2005, Andrew Bogut wasn’t, nor has he ever been, your traditional franchise-changing talent. A stout seven-foot defensive minded center for the Milwaukee Bucks, he served as an elite inside presence who altered the game at the less heralded side of the floor.

In seven seasons with the Bucks, Bogut averaged 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He led the league in swats in 2010-11 with 2.6 a night and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2009-10 in helping Milwaukee to 46 wins, its highest total in five years.

The key for Bogut, and what led to a less than prosperous tenure with the Bucks, was his persistent health issues. The lumbering 260-pound center missed 166 games during his time with the Bucks, or an average of 23.7 each season. It was upon being traded to the Golden State Warriors were the pressure as a former top pick was taken off the Aussie and his value began to really shine through.

To say Warriors fans had not warmed up to the acquisition was an understatement. A chorus of boos rained down on ownership the night of Chris Mullin’s jersey retirement, prompting No. 17 himself to grab the microphone and issue a statement of defense.

Bogut was not the high-volume scorer of the man he was traded for in Monta Ellis. However, what he brought to the Dubs may have been even more valuable in helping his new team ascend back to playoff relevancy.

His bone-crushing screens were perfect for freeing up the early stages of Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson while his vision and passing ability provided another fulcrum for the offense to run through.

As a rebounder and shot blocker, Bogut was still at a high level, and it proved crucial during the 2014-15 playoffs against All-Star centers like Marc Gasol and Dwight Howard. Despite a lesser role during the Finals, he averaged 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game across those entire playoffs, helping Golden State kick off a dynasty with its first NBA championship in 40 years.

Dub Nation may have resented Bogut early on, but his play eventually helped him become a fan favorite in the Bay Area. He didn’t reshape the future of an entire franchise, but with the results to back it up, it’s clear Bogut wasn’t an all-time bust either.