Blunt Bogut barks for a bit of mongrel

ANDREW Bogut has declared it’s a championship or bust for the Sydney Kings this season, as the NBL’s prize recruit wasted no time laying down the law to his new teammates.

Bogut’s booming voice silenced the Qudos Bank Arena gym on several occasions during yesterday’s first session in Sydney colours — the exact first impression coach Andrew Gaze was after.

Gaze said it was like royalty had truly arrived at the Kings but young players quickly learned there are no airs or graces with Bogut.

The 34-year-old big man has never been one to shirk confrontation and he’s promised the Kings will get plenty used to heated encounters as they prepare for their first preseason hitout against the Japan national team on August 10 at Sydney University.

At one point yesterday Bogut interrupted a scrimmage with some choice words on defensive structure and at the post-session huddle it was the NBA champion who again had the floor, pressing the one percentage plays that will make them “top four” material.

Although “top four” is merely a stepping stone to the real expectation.

“Winning a championship,” said Bogut. “For us it’s [the only option.]”

Asked afterwards how he would marshall a Kings’ defence that in Bogut’s own words “absolutely sucked” last season, the 34-year-old big man again didn’t mince words: “Just tell ‘em.”

Bogut says he even wants to see teammates clash in the name of winning.

“It’s hard to judge anything right now,” Bogut said.

“Everyone is feeling good, their bodies are feeling good. It’s the honeymoon period, I call it. Like the first year of marriage,” said Bogut.

“After the first two or three weeks and a few little scuffles at practice, guys maybe start disliking each other on the floor and going at it — that’s when you start to see their true colours coming out and we’ll address any issues if we have any.

“I think it’s good. We have to be competitive practice wise. The Sydney kings have absolutely sucked the last couple of years to put it bluntly so for us to change the culture we’ve got to go at each other here first.”

Gaze admits he will likely lose his job as coach if the Kings don’t win or push for a Championship.

“If we fail here, then I’ll be looking for alternatives, there’s no doubt about that,” said Gaze. “And I accept that.”