A rejuvenated and leaner Andrew Bogut is looking forward to taking his slimmed-down frame to the court when the Golden State Warriors start their NBA title defence later this month.
The Australian centre has dropped 10kg over the off-season to now weigh in at 114kg, three-and-a-half months after the Warriors won the NBA championship with a 4-2 finals series victory over LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bogut was benched for the final two games of the finals series as coach Steve Kerr opted for a more agile side.
"I changed my diet a little bit," Bogut told csnbayarea.com. "It's really worked wonders for me."
After watching documentary Is Sugar the New Fat?, Bogut got rid of processed sugars.
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"It's unbelievable, man," Bogut said.
"(Sugar) is in absolutely everything. I have a couple friends that are label readers. I used to give them so much (crap), telling them, `Man, just eat it. Stop reading the label.' And now I'm one of those guys."
It's been noticed too, with reports that Bogut has been one of the most impressive in the pre-season.
"Bogut's been amazing so far," interim coach Luke Walton said.
"We're thrilled with what we've seen of him."
Last season's NBA MVP Steph Curry has noticed Bogut's improved athleticism too.
"He went three-quarters of the court, coast-to-coast, to finish with a floater," he said.
"He does stuff that you don't expect from a guy that size.
"His skill level is so high. When he's able to move and be agile ... it's fun to watch."
Now the challenge for Bogut is proving to the fans that his new physique is effective and he'll get the chance when their season proper starts against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 27.
"I want to get a couple post moves, roll to the glass strong and finish," Bogut said. "It takes a lot of pressure off us, then we can get a decent shot from the perimeter."
