MILWAUKEE (AP) - Andrew Bogut could only watch his Bucks teammates struggle with rebounding during their recent West Coast swing. Bogut can't play because of back spasms that have wiped out most of the 7-foot center's month.
"That was the most demoralizing thing to me, waiting up (late) and watching it on TV," Bogut said Wednesday night before Milwaukee played Dallas. "I was bored out of my brain. The last five days I've been inside - going to treatment and going back sitting inside on the couch or in bed. It's been pretty frustrating."Bogut, averaging 11.8 points and a team-high 10.4 rebounds a game, says he's "day-to-day" but Bucks coach Scott Skiles hinted his center won't travel to Atlanta for Friday's game and may not play until Monday against Minnesota.
On their most recent trip, the Bucks finished 1-2, losing to the Clippers and getting outrebounded 58-30 in a loss to Portland that was hailed as rookie Greg Oden's coming out party after he scored a career-high 24 points and added 15 rebounds. Of course, Oden didn't have to bang against Bogut, a former No. 1 pick in 2005.
"I know that's something I could help the team in," Bogut said of the rebounding disparity. "I definitely could've helped, at least get 10, maybe get that margin closer to even and helped us stay in the game."
There's been little joy for Bogut in recent weeks. He's played in three of the past 11 games and initially hurt his back more than a month ago on Dec. 17 against Philadelphia. Doctors have said there's nothing structurally wrong, but the pain has been intense.
Bogut, who signed a five-year extension worth at least $60 million in the offseason, tried to play through the injury until he aggravated the back following a hard charge against Houston on Dec. 31. He missed four games, returned for three and has missed four more including the game against the Mavericks.
"I came back too early from it the first time, that's why I've had a bigger setback the second time," Bogut said. "So now it's kind of warning me to the point where you definitely want to feel 100 percent."
It's been treacherous off the floor, too.
Bogut slid on black ice while driving a few weeks ago and laughs about nearly ending up "hitting some guy's house." That's about all he's had to laugh about lately since there's little else he can do while the Bucks look for answers without their inside presence.
"We got dominated inside all three games (on the road) and the big guys that are on our team right now have got to step up and give us more from a physical standpoint," Skiles said. "Everybody should give a little more when you're missing a key guy, not less.
"With Andrew out, somebody's got to step up, protect the basket and rebound the ball for us."
Problem is, there's not much there. Backup center Dan Gadzuric has done little to deserve more playing time or make his presence felt, while 7-foot center Francisco Elson and 6-10 forward Malik Allen have played limited minutes.
In the meantime, Bogut has no other choice but to wait.
"It's a very winnable month for us, and I could've helped the team," Bogut said. "It's disappointing."
