Yao, Bogut among 100 global stars set for NBA season (AFP) Updated: 2005-10-31 09:21
Yao will be aided by the addition of free agent forward Stromile Swift, who
will be counted upon to join the Chinese star in dominating the boards.
"I think we'll have a good year," Yao said. "Right now, Tracy and me have one
year of experience. We know how to play together."
Aussie big man Bogut
will make his NBA debut when the Milwaukee Bucks open Tuesday at Philadelphia
while 2.26m giant Yao will spark the Houston Rockets, who begin their season on
Wednesday at home against Sacramento.
In 2002, Yao became the first international player taken with the first pick
in the NBA Draft. Bogut followed that legacy this year although the 7-footer
went through the US college system, unlike Yao.
Bogut made his name with skilled passing and quickness inside last season at
the University of Utah, averaging 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds a game and
hitting 62 percent of his shots to claim consensus Player of the Year honors.
Bogut averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Aussie Olympic squad last
year at Athens and hopes to help lift a rebuilt Bucks' squad beyond their 30-52
showing last season after a solid pre-season showing.
"His skills will be accentuated when you put better players around him, and
his passing skills will become better when you have more scoring threats around
him," Bucks coach Terry Stotts said.
"My concern for him is the progress he shows at the defensive end."
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