The Adelaide 36ers have lodged a formal complaint with the NBL over body-shaming comments allegedly made by Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach Andrew Bogut.
In another twist to the bitter ongoing championship series, the Sixers on Monday accused former NBA player Bogut of making “persistent and repeated personal attacks” towards 36ers owner Grant Kelley.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Bogut and Kelley had a heated exchange after Adelaide’s defeat of the Kings in game two of the championship series. Kelley claimed Bogut made comments about his weight in the tunnel, which Bogut later disputed.
“Let’s just say I’m the size of Akebono the sumo wrestler, that’s my journey, that’s my issue,” Kelley told Code Sports on Sunday.
“Andrew is a three-time Olympian, this is probably a power trip for him because he thinks he’s better than other people because he’s a tall slim guy and an Olympic athlete. We’re not all born that way.”
After the Kings’ win in game three Bogut posted on Instagram saying: “Nice to get back to the locker room unencumbered tonight, in what one can only assume was a rush to major sponsor Hungry Jack’s drive-thru outlet.”
In the wash-up from Friday’s game, Bogut shared an image on X of Family Guy protagonist Peter Griffin holding basketballs.
On Monday morning, the day after Sydney took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five championship series, the Sixers released a statement addressing the conduct of “a Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach”.
Bogut is the only member of the Kings ownership group to also sit on Brian Goorjian’s coaching staff.
“The Adelaide 36ers are aware of persistent and repeated personal attacks by a Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach directed towards our owner Grant Kelley,” the statement said.
“The 36ers understand that body shaming is not a joke, but rather a very real source of anxiety and emotional distress for people of all genders and ages. We also stand against cyber-bullying in all its forms.
“Accordingly, we have today given notice to the NBL of our concerns and will address the matter further with them and other regulatory authorities during the NBL off-season.”
Sydney Kings were approached for comment.
The Sixers’ hopes of a first title since 2002 hinge on a game-four win in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
Last Sunday, 36ers coach Mike Wells vented his frustrations over the officiating of game three, claiming the referees had allowed Sydney to “beat up” NBL MVP Bryce Cotton.
“The main guy that’s on Bryce Cotton had zero fouls … they literally draped all over him,” Wells said.
He took particular issue with the defensive technique of Matthew Dellavedova, known for his physicality.
“If Matthew Dellavedova is jumping in front of Bryce Cotton all the way up the floor, then I believe he is not in legal guarding position if Bryce is trying to go around him,” he said.
“There has to be freedom of movement, we have to be able to see the hands and he has to beat guys to a spot so Bryce can actually play basketball and we’re not playing footy.”
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