Andrew Bogut And Australia Are Completely Unfazed By New Zealand’s Epic Haka

Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova have forged successful NBA careers utilizing on-court tactics many considering borderline unsportsmanlike. The Golden State Warriors’ center is among the most overtly physical players in basketball, while the Cleveland Cavaliers guard frequently toes the line between relentless hustle and targeted dives.

Those reputations aren’t only well-earned, but also well-known. Some players might rein-in those antics after drawing such ire of opposing players and fans, but not Bogut or Dellavedova. Needless to say, neither is easily intimidated – a reality the New Zealand national team learned before they tipped-off against Australia in the FIBA Oceanias on Saturday.

We’ve seen the Tall Blacks perform the Haka before. Team USA, remember, had absolutely no idea how to react to the traditional Maori war cry before the teams faced off in last year’s FIBA World Cup.

Australia, on the other hand, came completely prepared for New Zealand’s pre-game performance. The Boomers seem to revel while watching their opponent’s dance, right? Bogut’s response is especially epic. He no doubt felt the phlegm of a Tall Black mere inches from his face, yet somehow remained completely undaunted by the entire experience. Talk about willpower.

Australia, unsurprisingly, beat New Zealand 71-59 in the teams’ first Olympic qualifying matchup. They’ll meet again next Tuesday, affording Bogut and company the opportunity for another awesomely stone-faced acknowledgement of the Haka.

(Via FIBA)

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