Culture

Legendary Aussie Basketballer Andrew Bogut Broke His Leg Just 58 Seconds Into His Cavs Debut

At least he earned around $6,600 for every second of game time.

by Jackson Barron  7 March 2017

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The sight of Andrew Bogut clutching at a limb on the sideline has been all too familiar in his 12-year playing career. From breaking his arm while playing for Milwaukee, to injuries while repping Golden State, Bogut’s bulking frame has copped a beating in his latter NBA seasons.

Today, his much anticipated Cleveland Cavaliers debut was no exception. Australia’s leading basketball export fractured his tibia in the first minute of his first outing.

Stepping on in the first quarter, Bogut began true to form with a foul just 11 seconds into his Cavs career. Marching toward the three point-line in defence, Bogut’s shin then collided with Miami forward Okaro White’s knee 47 seconds later, sending 260 pounds of Australian stumbling off-court.

The 32-year-old was scooped off the floor by his Cavs teammates, unable to put weight on his leg, where scans later revealed the extent of the injury. Not that LeBron James — Bogut’s teammate — is too worried about the effect this will have. When quizzed this week on whether Bogut’s signing would change the team’s playing style, King James responded bluntly: “It doesn’t. Our process is the same”.

Bogut’s NBA career is now in the balance, with his injury-riddled past becoming a liability for his contract negotiations and leading to a lack of game time. Bogut’s 58-second season at the Cavs earned him around $385,000, if the team sticks to the contract, or around $6,600 a second.

Almost worth the broken leg.