Golden State Warriors fans may have to wait even longer before seeing the on-court debut of their prized center, with Andrew Bogut claiming he might not play in some of the team's preseason games, according to Matt Steinmetz of Comcast SportsNet.
Bogut, whom the Warriors acquired in a five-player deal back in March, has still yet to suit up for his new team after being traded while still recovering from a fractured left ankle he suffered on Jan. 25, 2012. The big 7-footer underwent surgery to clean out loose particles and bone spurs in the ankle on April 27, and says he is trying to play it "smart" with his rehabilitation.
Bogut did express confidence that he'll be fully healed in time for the Warriors' season opener against the Phoenix Suns, reaffirming to Steinmetz that "that's my goal."
"I definitely want to be ready for training camp, and I think it will be close. But I think I'll definitely be ready for the first game. So the immediate goal with all of this is to be ready for the first game, whether that means only playing in only half the preseason games or whatever or just being smart."
This caution could indeed be wise, as Bogut has now missed time because of injury in four consecutive seasons and played in just 12 of the 66 games in the lockout-shortened 2012 slate. When healthy, though, Bogut has flashed franchise-center potential, something that Golden State has lacked since the days of Nate Thurmond.
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