Breaking Down Bogut's Numbers

A previous number one pick averaging 12.5 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game is what most people would call a bust.

These numbers are unacceptable for a player picked ahead of stars such as Chris Paul and Deron Williams, or are they?

Most number one picks have the luxury of coming into the league onto a bad team where they will immediately be the go-to guy.

Andrew Bogut has had no such luxury with the Milwaukee Bucks, playing with premier scorers Michael Redd, Mo Williams and most recently Richard Jefferson. Now four games into his fourth NBA season Bogut is averaging 8.25 shot attempts per game and is shooting an extremely efficient 75 percent from the field.

Say he were able to get the same number of shots a premier post scorer gets (roughly 20). He would then theoretically produce something along the line of 15-20 FG to the tune of 30 points. That is even without factoring in freethrows!

Obviously it is ridiculous to assume he can shoot 75 percent on 20 shot attempts something more in the mid 50s seems likely. There is no reason why Bogut cannot become a 20 and 10 guy in the NBA and live up to his number one pick potential.

All he has to do is get more touches.

He has the skills, reliable jump-shot, good footwork, accurate hook-shot with either hand and he is unselfish. If he was to get the ball in the low post more often his assists would skyrocket as he is a very good passer, especially with Michael Redd spotting up on the perimeter and Richard Jefferson slashing to the hoop. It would bring a new dimension to the Bucks' offence.

Bogut is a very good player whose numbers don't tell the whole story. He simply needs more touches in the post as Milwaukee needs some sort of consistency. Not the erratic play of Redd and Villanueva. So come on Scott Skiles give the big Aussie the ball and watch him go to work.

Maybe then he can live up to his number one pick potential.