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Rio de Janeiro
The moment he received the diagnosis, Andrew Bogut did the math and didn't like the answer.
Having sprained his left knee in Game 5 of the NBA Finals while playing for Golden State, Bogut knew the prognosis of being sidelined for six to eight weeks would push his recovery close to the start of the Olympic Games. As of that day in mid-June, he basically ruled himself out of Rio.
Yet here he was Saturday afternoon, two days shy of the eight-week mark, scoring 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting in Australia's 87-66 win over France and surprising himself with a performance that rewarded all of the rehabilitation effort.
While a bunch of American players were inventing all kinds of reasons to stay home, the former University of Utah center was determined to play in his third Olympics. Missing the trip to London in 2012 after ankle surgery was part of his incentive. Beyond that, there's just something about playing for the Boomers that motivates these guys to do everything they can to compete in the Olympics.
Bogut persevered through a back injury last summer to help Australia advance through Oceania qualifying for this tournament, so he was not about to miss it — if his recovery progressed on schedule.
After the Boomers shredded France's defense with crisp passing and efficient play that reduced the effectiveness of Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Bogut reflected how his recovery during some "dark times" once stood at 10 percent … then 20 percent … and ultimately became good enough to get him to Rio.
He not only played against France in this Olympic tournament opener, but he thrived. "I'm surprised I had the impact that I did," said Bogut, who added five assists and four rebounds in 23 minutes.
Bogut emerged as by far the biggest Utah-based story of this Olympic opener, after coming into it as maybe the No. 4 candidate for that distinction. Four of the 10 starters were current Jazz players or former Utes, and another ex-Ute, France center Kim Tillie, came off the bench. The total would have been even higher if Jazz guard Dante Exum had been declared healthy enough to play for Australia this summer.
The Boomers loved having Bogut back at something resembling full strength, after he returned by playing nine minutes July 31 in an exhibition win over China in Argentina.
"He gives us something that we haven't had," said Jazz guard Joe Ingles, Bogut's longtime Aussie teammate.
During his rehab, Bogut wondered if his new employer would support his Olympic pursuit. The Dallas Mavericks acquired him in a July trade, as Golden State facilitated the signing of Kevin Durant. Mavs owner Mark Cuban is not known for being supportive of international basketball, because of the injury risks, but he has been "absolutely fantastic," Bogut said.
In turn, Bogut promised to bench himself if he thought he was unfit to play in Rio. He may have lacked some jumping ability, while dressed in yellow tights with padding that made him look like a member of the Green Bay Packers, but he moved well. Bogut repeatedly rolled to the basket and caught passes for layups in a game that evoked memories of his 11-of-12 shooting against Air Force as a Ute sophomore in 2005.
Famously outspoken, Bogut apologized to the Brazilian people for tweets that expressed his unhappiness with the Olympic Village. He emphasized his "#IOCLuxuryLodging" commentary was directed at the International Olympic Committee members' excesses, not his own accommodations. Olympic Village employees ask him every day if there's anything they can do for him.
In Saturday's case, Bogut helped himself to a bunch of easy baskets.
Twitter: @tribkurt —
Bogut beats Gobert
R Former Utah center, back sooner than expected after a knee injury in the NBA Finals, scores 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting in Boomers' big win
• Jazzman Rudy Gobert, teammates have few answers for Bogut's offensive repetoire.