by Jim SLATER
CLEVELAND, United States (AFP) — Andrew Bogut plans to play for Australia at the Rio Olympics, but Zika virus concerns have the NBA standout joking about getting a hazmat suit as he considers the risks.
The 31-year-old 7-footer (2.13m) from Melbourne has helped the defending champion Golden State Warriors grab a 2-0 lead over Cleveland in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
“I would be lying to say I wasn’t concerned about it, but as of now I’m going,” Bogut said. “Just being bitten by a mosquito and then come down with something is a pretty scary prospect.
“I’ve had my yellow fever shot already, which is a battle in itself, and then you’ve got malaria and you’ve got Zika. Being able to get that from an insect is pretty scary stuff. So you’ve got to be smart.”
Bogut, averaging 5.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in the playoffs, figures to be a major player in Brazil for the Boomers, who have made the Olympic quarter-finals in eight of the past nine attempts and reached the semi-finals in 1988, 1996 and 2000, settling for fourth each time.
Safety assurances from organizers give Bogut little relief.
“The (Australian) Olympic Committee and the IOC are obviously saying everything’s fine. No (kidding). They want you to go, you know, so I take it with a grain of salt what they’re putting out,” Bogut said.
“But there are people in the World Health Organization and other high, prominent doctors around the world that are raising concerns, so I’m reading into those and might have to buy a hazmat outfit to arrive. Who knows?
“But look, if it gets serious, there’s going to be a conversation. I don’t think it’s overly serious but there are some concerns. As of right now, I’m 100 percent committed and reading news articles and whatever I can to get more information about it and follow it closely.”
Bogut admits he is not a fan of syringes in the best of times.
“The yellow fever shot has a rare, minute chance of side effects of really messing you up, so I kind of didn’t want to do it, because I don’t do injections,” Bogut said. “I don’t do flu shots.”
Bogut’s comments came a day after teammate Stephen Curry, the NBA Most Valuable Player and top scorer, said he would not play for the defending champion US squad at Rio. But Curry cited body fatigue and injuries and said Zika did not play a role in his choice.
“Steph is banged up a little bit with carrying that knee thing. He’s feeling better, but obviously he needs to rest that in the off-season,” Bogut said. “It has been two long seasons for us in a row where we’re playing deep into the season and you can’t fault anyone for wanting to rest.”
Bogut doesn’t fear fatigue
Bogut says he isn’t thinking about the toll an Olympics in August might have when it comes to pre-season NBA work next October.
“My goal right now is to try to win this championship and be part of this great ride,” he said. “You’ve got to refocus on the Olympics and hopefully (Warriors coach Steve) Kerr will give us until October to rest.”
Bogut had five blocked shots in Golden State’s game two victory, four in the first quarter the top total in any quarter in the finals since 2005.
“He has been playing really well,” said Cleveland guard Matthew Dellavedova, also an Australian. “He anchors their defense. He had five blocks and he finishes around the rim, sets really good screens for their shooters.
“I know a lot of people are following back home and picking sides. It’s really good and I’ll look forward to playing with him at Rio, getting into camp the 5th of July and getting started there.”
js/BB
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