3. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors
The temptation is often to assume that Andrew Bogut is a bust because he didn’t become a superduperstar after being selected No. 1 overall out of Utah in 2005. The truth instead is that he’s become one of the most reliable defensive centers in the league.
If you thought Serge Ibaka’s shooting percentages against him were impressive, take a look at Bogut’s. They’re even better. He’s not necessarily high volume shot-blocker, but he shows great patience and waits for a shooter to absolutely commit to shooting before he’ll make a legitimate effort to swat a shot.
And he does average 1.7 blocks per game, which isn’t too shabby. And he’s second in basketball among players with the most blocks, in opponents’ field goal percentage at the rim, yielding an incredible 41.2 percent success rate on all attempts.
But what makes Bogut so good is his ability to step out and blitz a pick-and-roll, to hedge or work under when appropriate and stay with a guard on a switch.
He provides versatility for the league’s best defense. The Warriors can switch everything if necessary because of Bogut and Draymond Green, and their respective abilities to stay with guards through centers one-on-one if necessary.
Naturally, he twisted his ankle Monday night at home against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter. He did, however, return to the action.
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