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JaVale McGee refused to comply with the unusual request. Locked in an a tight playoff game, the Denver Nuggets center found himself face-to-face with Andrew Bogut, who pointed to his chin and shouted over the din of the sellout crowd at Oracle Arena. “He told me to punch him in the chin,” McGee said. “I don’t know why you’d want somebody to punch you in your chin.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Javale McGee, Andrew Bogut 

“I'm not going out there to hurt anybody or be cheap or anything,” Bogut told reporters Saturday. “I'm just playing physical like they are. If someone steps up and wants to get into it, I've got no problem with that. It’s nothing personal. They’re physical. Kenneth Faried runs around and hits people. We just have to match their intensity. If it gets personal during games and guys want to have a crack at you, that’s playoff basketball. I’m not sitting here saying I hate McGee or I hate Faried. But if they want to be physical, we’re going to be physical back. We’re not going to take a step backward.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Javale McGee, Andrew Bogut, Kenneth Faried 

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut has a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left ankle. An MRI on Friday revealed the latest injury complication for the often-hobbled Australian big man. Bogut sprained his ankle during the Warriors' loss to Oklahoma City on Thursday night, keeping him out of Friday's game against the Lakers. He has missed 49 of Golden State's 80 games this season. ESPN.com

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

Rusty Simmons: Mark Jackson said he doesn't think Bogut's injury is serious as indicated by no need for x-rays. He isn't expected to fly with team to LA. Twitter @Rusty_SFChron

Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

Geoff Lepper: Lacob on vindication of the Ellis-Bogut deal: "To me, it was vindicated from day one. The trade was a fantastic trade. ... Twitter @geofflepper

Golden State Warriors, Trade, Monta Ellis, Andrew Bogut 

The likelihood is Warriors center Andrew Bogut won't be fully recovered until next season. With the seriousness of his injury, the sheer size of his frame, he may not ever get back to what he was. But the way he's played the past two games, it's hard to argue with the Warriors' stance that he's worth the wait. Now imagine if he somehow helps Golden State end a 28-game losing streak in San Antonio on Wednesday. It's only been two games, and he's only partially back to himself. But Bogut has been every bit the difference-maker the Warriors hoped for when they gave up their franchise player for him. It remains to be seen if he can sustain his play, or if he can be as successful against better teams than Houston and New Orleans. But he's bought himself some patience. "He really showed how good he can be when he has a live body and he's protecting the paint like we expect him to be," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Andrew Bogut 

When asked if playing against his old teammates would hold any special meaning, Bogut said, “Not really. It’ll be a tough game. It’ll be the second of our back-to-back games; we play Houston on Friday night. We just got to keep rolling and get into the playoffs. “But as far as that (the Bucks game), it’s a different team than when I was there.” Racine Journal-Times

Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Andrew Bogut 

“The J.J. Redick trade was a great deal for the Bucks,” Bogut said in a telephone interview Thursday. “They lost Tobias Harris, who is going to be a very good player, but to get a player like Redick was huge for them.” Bogut didn’t play a game last season after he was dealt to the Warriors because of severe ankle issues. He has appeared in 14 games this season, being slowed by ankle and back problems. Racine Journal-Times

Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Andrew Bogut 

Q: The Sixers are being squeezed by Andrew Bynum and his time-bomb knees. He's a free agent this summer and could walk and leave Philly holding an empty bag. Even if he signs in Philly, he could be a disaster. You guys have a similar situation with Andrew Bogut, although he has another year left on his deal. First it was his ankle, now his back. After missing last season, he has only played 12 games. Fans hated the deal, too. Has this been a disaster for the Warriors? Jerry West: When we traded for Andrew we were well aware a lot of people were not for the trade. For a coach to have a good player just for bits and pieces, the way he's adjusted to patching up holes says a lot for Mark. Our front office has also done a good job giving us depth. It's amazing how we've hung in there without him. He's a good player who makes it so much easier for the other players, but the problem is he's not out there. It does hurt us. We're hopeful that somewhere along the way he'll contribute for us. SportsonEarth

Golden State Warriors, Trade, Jerry West, Andrew Bogut 

Eric Smith: Word from the #Warriors is that Bogut (back spasms) will be a game-time decision for tonight vs the #Raptors. #RTZ Twitter @Eric__Smith

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

Warriors center Andrew Bogut didn’t fly with the team from Oakland as it started its final extended road trip of the season Saturday because of a disc protrusion that is causing back spasms, according to team officials. The 7-foot, 260-pounder played only 12 of the team’s first 54 games because of left ankle surgery and missed Friday’s overtime win against NBA-leading San Antonio after his back started acting up. He missed 43 games with a stress fracture in his lower back in 2008-09, a game in 2009-10 with a mid-back strain and five games in 2010-11 with a sore back. The Warriors say there is no real timetable for Bogut’s return, but they’re holding out hope that he can join the team at some point during their five-game trip. San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

The results from Andrew Bogut's MRI revealed a disc protrusion that caused his back spasms. As a result, he will... not play Sunday in Minnesota. Bogut did not travel with the team, instead will stay back and get treatment. It is possible he could join the team on the trip at some point, but that depends on how he recovers. He is still out indefinitely. Sulia

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

Warriors center Andrew Bogut will miss Friday night’s game against San Antonio because of back spasms and is out indefinitely, according to head coach Mark Jackson. The big man, who has played only 12 games this season because of left ankle surgery, missed Thursday’s practice and had an MRI on his back Friday. Jackson said he didn’t mean to sound grim about Bogut’s condition, but the team doesn’t yet have the results from his medical tests. San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

The Mavericks, sources say, have been pessimistic from the start about their ability to trade for Jennings before the deadline anyway, knowing that he’s the closest thing to a face of the franchise for the Bucks in the wake of Andrew Bogut’s departure at the 2012 trade deadline. Also, Dallas is aware that Milwaukee would likely set a high bar for teams inquiring about the third-year point guard. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut 

Center Andrew Bogut is ready to take the next level in his return, according to the Warriors’ doctors and athletic trainers. He has been cleared to play both games in back-to-back sets, the next step in his rehabilitation. When Bogut returned to action on Jan. 28, he was limited to 25 minutes and prohibited from playing two games in two nights until after the All-Star Break. Well, the All-Star break has come and gone so it is time to see if Bogut’s surgically repaired left ankle can handle such rigors. Also, Bogut has also been cleared to extend his minutes beyond the 25-minute threshold as long as it is not a back-to-back situation. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

Hard as it is for me to believe after watching him last Tuesday against the Houston Rockets, Andrew Bogut says that he expects to play without restriction following the All-Star break, including playing in back-to-back games. We won't have to wait long to find out if that plan holds -- Warriors play at Utah on Tuesday and at home against the Suns on Wednesday. Sulia

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

Andrew Bogut: C U Next Tuesday fellas! Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Andrew Bogut 

Bogut is playing with a limit of 25 minutes per game, an approach scheduled for at least five more contests until the cap is re-evaluated during the All-Star break. There has already been one aborted comeback from the fractured left ankle and subsequent microfracture surgery, the four games at the start of the season before it was decided the leg needed a lot more healing, and all involved are being especially cautious this time, even as Bogut contrasts the difference between now and late-October as “Night and day.” The ankle, he says, is “110 percent stronger.” NBA.com

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut 

What did you think of that Memphis trade? Andrew Bogut: Wow. There's a can of worms opened on that one. I hate to judge another franchise, but basically, you know, I guess money's come before winning, essentially. And that's scary. That's scary. Real scary. I guess they thought saving some money and maybe taking a couple more losses is something they'd like to do. I can't believe, I know Lionel [Hollins, the Grizzlies' head coach] personally as well, because I was with him in Milwaukee. I know that right now he really can't say much about it, but he'd be pissed, when you trade away one of your best players, and you've made a run the last two years, and you keep that group together, you've got a chance to do something special. And you trade a vocal piece of your team, it makes no sense to me. NBA.com

Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Andrew Bogut 

I know you're a tough guy, but have you been tired of being in constant pain the last two years? Andrew Bogut: It's part of it. It's the way I play as well. I dive on loose balls. I get after it. I know a lot of people were frustrated with my injuries, but I've had two injuries that I can't control. I haven't had soft tissue or lack of conditioning injuries. I can't really control falling on someone's foot or getting shoved in the back and falling down on my elbow. It's frustrating, when you look back. All I can control is just trying to go out there and keep pushing. NBA.com

Golden State Warriors, Injuries, Andrew Bogut