When Mark Jackson made his return to Oracle Arena for Golden State's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, pretty much every Warriors player was peppered with questions about their former coach. For Andrew Bogut - not one of the players who had a close connection with Jackson - it wasn't a very significant occasion, and he said as much in his responses to reporters.
Bogut's...'brisk' manner - combined with his less-than-enthusiastic answers - caused some writers to infer there was some kind of rift between the Australian and his former coach. In Bogut's regular column for the NBA's Australian website, he decided to address reports that he had some kind of feud going with Jackson:
Mark Jackson’s job is to commentate, my job is to play, which means he now has to give an opinion as a commentator. Good or bad.
People value what he says on a broadcast but I value what coach Kerr is telling me so I’m not really too worried about what was said.
People have jumped to conclusions with the whole issue, not knowing I’ve got a smile on my face throughout this so called “escapade."
I think it’s absolutely hilarious.
Over here, the media may not have picked up on the sarcasm. They think I really hate the guy, but that isn’t the case. Is he in my contact list? No. But that’s about as bad as it gets.
There’s no ill will between us, but as far as having a communicating relationship, we don’t have that like some of the other guys on the team do, which is not a problem whatsoever to me. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I wish him all the best and look forward to more and more unique quotes in the future!
Bogut, still working his way back from a knee procedure that kept him out for 13 games, is expected to see increased minutes in Golden State's game against Utah Tuesday, and could make his return to the starting lineup.
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