Bogut: Targeting claims “insane", "wrong"

Photo: Illawarra Hawks Media.

Sydney Kings assistant coach Andrew Bogut has dismissed claims that star import JaVale McGee was unfairly targeted during a scrimmage last week, calling them “wrong” and “insane”.

The Kings faced off against reigning champions Illawarra over the weekend, with Hawks coach Justin Tatum highlighting “non-basketball plays”, while McGee described the opposition’s tactics as “weird”.

Bogut, however, hit back on Wednesday.

“Wrong. If there was a tad bit of journalistic research you would have found you have a @SydneyKings player who is playing for an @NBL) contract (and playing with 110% effort) and trying to make a roster, playing against a guy who was clearly tired after getting off an international flight and reportedly only recently recovered from pneumonia,” the former Boomers champion tweeted.

“To think any team playing a pre season game would 'target' a player is insane.

“Let’s wait ‘til the actual season starts before we start with the 'scandal' BS!”

Tatum said the three-time NBA champion should be protected on the court, calling for a firmer stance on "taking his (McGee's) knees, holding him or taking him out mid-air".

“JaVale is 7 foot 1 and skilled as, so he is going to cause problems for a lot of people, but at the end of the day you still have to play basketball the right way," he told Code Sports.

“We will do our part if we feel like there are calls that JaVale is not getting and we’ll send it to the NBL.”