Obviously, if Mayo and Bayless are gone, I think we should take a long look at Augustine, whether we take him at 6 or swap with the Nets or Charlotte.

Physically: The biggest knock on Augustine is his size or lack there of. First off he's 5'11 and 172 lbs. We've seen guards of similar builds and even smaller have success in this league. Comming into the league TJ Ford was 6'0 162 lbs, Kenny Anderson was 6'0 161 lbs, Terrell Brandon was 5'11 180 lbs, Brevin Knight was 5'10 170 lbs, Tim Hardaway was 6'0 170lbs, etc.....

Augustine compares more favorable to Brevin Knight and Ford and DJ is a much better shooter than both. He has an array of shots which is essential for a penetrating guard. He can pull up off the dribble and shoot, he has a one-handed-floater in the lane, runners in the lane, fall aways....He keeps his dribble alive similar to Nash, and he can change directions with the herky-jerky dribbling-style that keeps the defense off balance.

Making teamates better : IMO, he's the purest pg in this draft. He's a better passer than Rose. The thing you have to look at when evaluating Augustine, is his ability to make players better. His presence on this team will improve us in all 5 spots on the floor. He will make Chandler, Balkman and Lee better players because they wont be asked to get thier own offense. Augustine will set the table for them to do what they do best which is finish. These three players are in constant motion, and any good pg will hit cutters and allow them to finish and get easier shots. Curry will be better aswell. How many times have we walked the ball up the court, dump it into Curry, and let him work one on one to get his own offense. Augustine will be able to get Curry at least 3-4 easy baskets per night just off penetration and looking to dish. Zach will get looks in the two man pick and roll with Augustine.


D'Antoni Factor: We have already discussed how players have been able to improve under D'Antoni: Nash goes from fringe allstar to MVP, Diaw, from bench player to a starter/contributor on a western conferecne finals team.......Augustine will be a perfect fit in D'Antoni's high pick and roll offense. Augustine is an excellent shooter so if you go under the screen, he will knock down the Jay, and you go over the top he has the vision and skill to hit the open man. He's excellent in the open floor aswell.

I think Augustine does so much to help our team. Solves the pg woes. Will increase the ball movement and get players easier shots as opposed to all the one on one play we have see over the years. Our Fg % will go up, the turnovers should come down. Our perimeter shooting will improve and should open things up for Curry...

And dont tell me about what he tested at the combine. Just watch the games. Everytime I tuned in to watch Durant last year, this kid always stole the show for me. He stood out. You notice him when he's on the floor. This year, without Durant, they improved and advnced to the regional finals.

[Edited by - uptown on 06-22-2008 2:03 PM]

[Edited by - uptown on 06-22-2008 2:06 PM]

no

Before the tournaments I would have agreed 100 percent with you. I was a big backer of the kid. After the tournaments, my answer is definitely a no. He didn't impress in any way, shape, or form against guys who were NBA type bodies. His shot isn't nearly as good as it seems either. His move was essentially to push the pace and bring it close or shoot from outside. He has absolutely no offense between a lay-up and an outside shot... there is ahuge void there.

I do like that he's a pure distributor and I'd like it if he turned out. I just don't think that is likely and I'd prefer for another team to take that risk.

Question: push the pace?

Answer: Nate Robinson has yet to get tired in an nba game. He's also the fastest bastard in the league running up the court. If given the rock and told to push the pace, he would excell like no other.

Augustine isn't on the level of any point guards mentioned. I don't see a slight of hand or any special attributes. He's kinda regular. He does have a certain confidence but he is very regular.

Another thing, Nate is an elite jump shooter in this league. If he is open that **** is going down. Even with a hand of a guy a foot taller in his face, he can get that shot off and make it.

Don't sell Nate short. Drafting Augustine would be a total waste of the pick.

Posted by GKFv2:

I'd go with Westbrook over DJ.

Westbrook is a world class athlete and tremendous perimeter defender. But I have a few questions about Westbrook. Can he run the point and make people better around him? Can he shake his man off the dribble, get into the lane, draw and dish? Can he handle the ball if he is pressured from end-line to end-line? Can he shoot it consistantly if the defense sags off of him? I'm not expecting him to walk into the garden amd be able to do all of these things right away, I knwo it'll take time. But if the answer is yes to these questions, then we have ourselves the steal of the draft. But if he can't run the point, what would his role be? At 6'3 195, he's too slight to play consistant minutes at the 2.

at six we need better than Brevin Knight. Despite what is in the papers about getting a PG, we need BPA whatever the position, and we need to factor in trying to get someone with some upside.

Augustine is a good player and I think Uptown's correct in saying he's the best pure pg in the draft. Nate doesn't have the vision to do this. Also, like Nate, he has a good shot. He is small and not the quickest guard. I don't think he gives us good value at 6. If we do trade down a few, I'd like Augustine.

how many NBA players are 5'10 and 160 lbs?

The few that have been good players were so far superior than the DJ in CBB its not even funny. I dont care how skilled he is he's going to get pushed around and treated like a man among boys in the big leagues.

Would much rather throw money at TJ Ford

I'd definitely trade down for DJ, if Mayo isn't there. But I wouldn't pick him at 6.

Fish I like the idea of getting Ford.