Slimmed down Bogut ready for Warriors NBA title defense

SAN FRANCISCO, USA – Australian player Andrew Bogut is hungry for more NBA Finals success after shedding more than 20 pounds during the off-season through a new diet that has left him in prime condition for the grueling months to come.

The hulking 30-year-old from Melbourne clinched the first NBA championship of his career last season as the Golden State Warriors thwarted LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

But the 7-foot center was benched for last two games of the finals, when the Warriors pulled away from 2-2 to clinch the best-of-seven series 4-2.

(READ: LeBron aims to be fearless like Michael Jordan)

While delighted to win a championship ring, Bogut has worked harder in the off-season to lose weight with the aim of improving his agility and stamina. 

Bogut credits a documentary titled “Is Sugar the New Fat?” as the catalyst for his physical transformation which has already turned heads and impressed team-mates in pre-season. 

By cutting processed sugar out of his diet, Bogut has lost around 22 pounds and looks leaner than he has done in years.

“I changed my diet a little bit,” he told reporters recently. 

“It has really worked wonders for me. I watched that documentary and it’s unbelievable, man. “Sugar is in absolutely everything. I have a couple of friends that are label readers. I used to give them so much crap, telling them, ‘Man, just eat it. Stop reading the label.’ And now I’m one of those guys.” 

Bogut says he hopes his new slimmer physique will allow him to offer more of an offensive threat for the Warriors. 

“I want to get a couple post moves, roll to the glass strong and finish,” Bogut said. 

“It takes a lot of pressure off us, then we can get a decent shot from the perimeter.” 

Warriors star Stephen Curry believes Bogut is primed for a standout season. 

“He does some stuff that you don’t expect from a guy that size,” Curry said. “His skill level is so high. When he’s able to move and be agile, it’s fun to watch.” 

Bogut, who broke his nose for the fourth time in his career during a pre-season game earlier this month, says he is relaxed about appearing for the Warriors in a limited role – provided the team wins. 

“We get that win at the end of a game, I’m not offended by it,” he said. 

“I’m going into my 11th year. If I can get three more championships by not playing the last two games of the Finals’ series, I’ll shake your hand right now and take it.” 

Bogut is also nonplussed by the fact that many critics are already questioning whether the Warriors have the ability to defend their title. 

That fact was underscored by a recent survey of NBA general managers which found that 53.6 percent backed the Cavaliers to claim the title this season.

Bogut said the Warriors were happy to be underestimated. 

“I think last season was ‘The Warriors are a regular season team, they’re not going to do anything in the Playoffs.’ We heard that all year. We went on a 20-game win streak, then we had to do that in the playoffs,” Bogut said.

“So we’ve had all these testing – bulletin board material type – things about other teams disrespecting us. It’s the same this season. All of a sudden we’re not a top dog anymore, which is fine. 

“I think it’s better and more motivation for us.” – Rappler.com