While the Andrew Bogut factor looms large, Brisbane Bullets say they will use Adam Gibson's 400th game milestone as inspiration for Saturday's NBL clash against Sydney Kings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fourth-placed Brisbane are one of the NBL's form teams after four wins in five games but will get a true gauge on their progress against former NBA star Bogut's No.2 ranked Kings.
Bullets guard Cameron Gliddon admitted Bogut's defensive presence is daunting but has backed Brisbane to rally behind former Boomer Gibson and pull off an upset.
Two-time championship winner Gibson, 32, racks up the impressive landmark in his 13th year in the league.
"He (Bogut) is a huge defensive presence. We will try to do some things to exploit him but they are a great team, it's not just him," Gliddon said.
"But being Gibbo's 400th game it is huge for the club. We will rally around that and do our best to get a win for him.
"He has been a huge spark for us. Four hundred games don't come around too often, and having eight teams now it is hard to chalk up those kind of numbers."
Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said there were no prizes for guessing who they would be targeting with Bogut leading the league in rebounds (12.1 per game) and blocks (2.9pg).
No stranger to Bogut's strengths as reigning Boomers coach, Lemanis admitted taking down the Kings superstar would be easier said than done.
"He doesn't have a lot of weaknesses. He is effecting the league exactly the way we thought he would," said Lemanis of Bogut, who linked with the NBL this season.
"The rim protection he brings for the group and the way he talks and directs them on the defensive end is second to none.
"And he is one of the smartest offensive players I have ever been associated with.
"But we will come up with something."
Lemanis balked at a suggestion Brisbane would be "doing it for Gibbo" but said the London Olympian's milestone would inspire his team.
"Four hundred games in any professional league is a fantastic achievement," he said of Bullets guard Gibson.
"To come up with that milestone at this stage of his career is impressive and a testament to who he is."
The Kings clash will start a tough run of four games in nine days for the Bullets.
Australian Associated Press
