Andrew Bogut knows Alex Toohey's Australian Stoicism defines Warriors rookie originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Who then is invincible? The one who cannot be upset by anything outside their reasoned choice. –Epictetus, ‘Discourses’, 1.18.21
Stoicism’s most important practice is understanding what we can and cannot change. What we have influence over, and what we do not. Alex Toohey ascribes to the notion, too, maybe without even knowing it.
The great Stoics all sought steadiness, stability and tranquility in their lives. This is how Marcus Aurelius strove to be, as did Epictetus, Seneca the Younger and Zeno of Citium, who is credited with creating the Stoic school of philosophy.
Those who know him best see the same out of the Warriors’ top pick from this year’s NBA draft. He rarely, if ever, is fazed on the court.
Before Andrew Bogut said anything about the way Toohey, taken No. 52 overall by the Warriors, can dribble, pass and shoot a basketball, one word in describing who he is stood out. The word isn’t something usually seen on most scouting reports, yet the term can lead to his ultimate success in a Warriors jersey.
Stoic. Coaches beg for it, also knowing the phrase grows with time and maturity, not typically designated for a 21-year-old.
“He’s a very stoic individual,” Bogut said to NBC Sports Bay Area in an exclusive phone interview. “He’s very focused.”
As well as anybody else, Bogut would know. The former Warriors champion had an inside view of Toohey’s development during his two seasons in Australia’s NBL, and even before that. Toohey played for the Sydney Kings, the same team the Warriors plucked Bogut out of for the end of the 2018-19 season, a club in which Bogut became a part-owner in 2021 and was added to the coaching staff this past March.
The original plan was for Toohey to attend college. Gonzaga was supposed to be the Canberra native’s next stop on his path to the NBA, all while Bogut and the Kings continued to court him. Toohey had a change of heart and decided to be part of the NBL Next Stars program, joining the defending champions ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Both seasons Toohey played for the Kings, he was the team’s youngest player, and as Bogut says, “he was asked probably to do more than most young kids.” He averaged 21.4 minutes per game as a 19-year-old his first season, and then 23 minutes last season, essentially improving in every category across the board.
What might sound like a compliment to his skill set goes back to Toohey’s stoic nature. Sydney’s roster was full of players in their late 20s, and the oldest veteran was former first-round NBA draft pick Denzel Valentine, who now is 31 years old.
“That’s always part of it. Guys don’t like the young guys coming in and taking their spots,” Toohey said to NBC Sports Bay Area. “Had a few run-ins with that, but overall it makes me a better basketball player, so I’m glad that happens.”
But Bogut doesn’t remember other teams really trying to go after Toohey. If they did, it was pointless. Why bother with trying to push an immovable object?
“He’s one of those annoying guys,” Bogut says. “I don’t think people really went after him because you just don’t get a reaction really. I’ve rarely seen him react poorly in those situations. When you got guys trying to plan to antagonize and get into a guy, try it once or twice and the guy’s giving you nothing, then move on to someone else.
“He does a great job of that. He just stays even keel for the most part and battles through what he needs to battle through.”
For instance, that includes shooting struggles for stretches. Toohey shot just 43.6 percent from the field as a rookie with a 24.2 3-point percentage and 68.5 free-throw percentage. Though the numbers weren’t great in Year 2, they improved to 44.9 percent overall, 31.0 percent from deep and 72.6 percent at the line. Bogut remembers the ups and downs. He doesn’t remember seeing Toohey once hang his head or try to rush the process of his own development.
Mechanically speaking, Toohey’s shot for a 6-foot-8 forward is sound. A possible weakness was seen as a strength at the draft combine when Toohey impressed in drills and then went 8-of-13 shooting in two scrimmages, going 3 of 6 on threes and 5 of 6 on free throws.
His Warriors workout wasn’t as smooth. Toohey called his private workout at Chase Center, “probably one of his worst.” When the Warriors called to tell him they were drafting him, Toohey nearly apologized for the poor showing and wanted to thank them for not judging him off one day.
Warriors brass saw the same resilience Bogut has. During and after his tough summer league debut Tuesday, Toohey didn’t display frustrations, nor did he point a finger at anybody else. He was honest about the adjustments he’ll need to make to the NBA, admitting he struggled without fixating on the results.
Mentally, Bogut has supreme confidence in Toohey. Physically, he believes Toohey’s versatility is his greatest advantage.
From what he saw with Sydney, Bogut believes Toohey can comfortably guard the two through the four and even at times stick him on certain point guards. The ball continues to move with him offensively, and he’s constantly in motion to create space for himself and others.
“As a young guy, if you can be multifaceted, teams can be like, ‘S–t, we can play him at the three, four, sometimes emergency five, maybe some two every night,’” Bogut said. “That’s invaluable when you’re structuring your lineup. I think that’s a great quality.”
Does that mean Bogut can see Toohey making an impact as a rookie, as someone who played multiple seasons himself under Steve Kerr?
“Steve likes smart players. Steve likes players that are stoic, and they’re not up and down like a Yo-Yo,” Bogut said. “Alex, he’s consistent. He’ll fit in. He won’t need things around him to make him fit in. He’ll find a way to fit in.”
And what a gift that is.
Joining a locker room of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and others can be too intimidating for many. Playing in the G League can be isolating and humbling. Toohey likely will have both experiences as a rookie. He’s ready for whichever road he must take.
Without even knowing it, that’s his nature. Maybe that’s just the way things go down under.
“As long as you ride out the bumps, you’re gonna get better each day,” Toohey said. “I think being around older guys and trying to learn from them, but also being confident in who I am and not trying to give away too much of my cards.
“I think just being Australian is part of that, honestly.”
Dribble, pass and shoot. Rebound, steal and block shots. Our eyes can see all those parts of the game.
The hidden Australian Stoicism of Toohey is the part of his scouting report unseen in the box score that already gives the newest Warriors rookie an edge over others, and a clear path to respect among his peers.
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