In a candid conversation with Ethan Strauss on House of Strauss, former NBA champion Andrew Bogut shared his thoughts on the state of coaching in today’s NBA. According to Bogut, the focus in coaching has shifted dramatically, moving away from traditional strategy and execution to a more relationship-based approach, something he’s not entirely fond of.
When asked about his potential future as a head coach in the NBA, Bogut stated, via HoopsHype, “I’d never say never, but right now—no. I don’t need the money, so that’s definitely not a motivator for me.”
Although Bogut isn’t currently interested in an NBA head coaching position, he expressed an interest in coaching Australia’s national basketball team in international tournaments like the Olympics, a role that aligns better with his personal goals and family situation.
The former Warriors center also discussed his desire to coach in the NBL (National Basketball League) in the future. “Coaching in the NBL appeals to me right now because of the shorter season,” he explained. “We play 28 games a season, and the season runs from September to March, which is more manageable for my lifestyle.”
However, what really stood out during the discussion was Bogut’s frank critique of modern NBA coaching culture. He noted a shift in emphasis toward relationships over basketball fundamentals. “People say it’s much more relationship-based than X’s and O’s these days. I disagree with that. I think it’s more overly fake relationship-based than X’s and O’s these days,” said Bogut.
For Bogut, the pressure to conform to the latest trends and “cool” language has become part of the NBA coaching landscape. He criticized the notion of older coaches trying to appear relatable to younger players.
“There’s nothing more cringeworthy than seeing a 40- or 45-year-old white guy with his hat on backward, trying to relate and be hipsterish or fashiony or whatever the [expletive] catch-cry is for that year. Can’t do it,” he said.
