DJ Augustin's role next year

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Here's how I see DJ's role next year if he starts......

1. Dribble the ball up the court.

2. Pass it off to Jack, or occasionally Boris or Gerald.

3. Stand out by the 3-point line waiting for the possible catch-and-shoot while OTHERS create the offense.

Perhaps DJ will be okay as a starter, because far less will be expected of him while he is on the court. If there's one thing we know he can definitely do, it is make a 3-pointer. With Jack and Gerald around, he could find himself open for a lot of them. Especially too, if Boris regains his '08-09 form.

Thoughts?

[dnbman]

Here's how I see DJ's role next year if he starts......

1. Dribble the ball up the court.

2. Pass it off to Jack, or occasionally Boris or Gerald.

3. Stand out by the 3-point line waiting for the possible catch-and-shoot while OTHERS create the offense.

Perhaps DJ will be okay as a starter, because far less will be expected of him while he is on the court. If there's one thing we know he can definitely do, it is make a 3-pointer. With Jack and Gerald around, he could find himself open for a lot of them. Especially too, if Boris regains his '08-09 form.

Thoughts?

I think he can do more than that, but I am concerned about him being our primary pg playing big minutes. I think his diminutive stature and speed would make him a great player to run off the ball and find openings, most of which could be outside. He would definitely keep the opposing defense honest.

If he gets a 1-on-1 situation, I think he can probably get past his man, but we have to have good spacing, which has been one of our shortcomings for most of existence, though we got better last year.

I want to support DJ, but I really hope we have another pg here, namely Felton.

[ammofan]

back up for CP3 will be DJ's role :D

[Weezy21]

back up for CP3 will be DJ's role :D

cant get any better than that

[DY_nasty]

He and LB need to just sit down and work out whatever it is that caused DJ to have one of the worst sophomore year dropoffs in recent NBA history.

Its really easy to say that DJ can't run the offense or whatever now, but after his rookie season were clamoring for him to take Felton's spot.

[EC123]

back up for CP3 will be DJ's role :D

Back up whoever else they sign at the PG.

[TattoodCats4life]

He'll start at first as the PG.

The eventuality is that we'll either pull some someone off waivers or even better move diaw/diop and an expiring for a better than average PG to start and have DJ come off the bench.

When DJ comes off as the 6th or 7th man he can be an impressive difference maker. He can run the ball some, but once he's down on offense he mentally shifts to SG and tosses up 3s like no one's business. When him, Jax, GW, Thomas, and Nazr (the pre-injury last year nazr) are out together we have a great chance to catch the defense off guard, because everyone on the court is equally good at what they do with scoring.

[Plowright]

think saying thats all he should do is harsh on DJ and total bullshit, give the man some respect! this post is a Disgrace...:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

[teej]

think saying thats all he should do is harsh on DJ and total bullshit, give the man some respect! this post is a Disgrace...:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

Which post? Tat's?

[Plowright]

the one where the guy basically says all dj shud do is stand to shoot 3's, hes got way more talent than that, hes been working on it, he knows he had a bad year give a guy a chance u know instead of just knocking him down, if he looked at this thread how do you think that would help his confidence?

[teej]

if he looked at this thread how do you think that would help his confidence?

No, but if he needs to find confidence by reading this, we're all fucked.

[Ghost Kat]

I can't understand why so many people are saying DJ can't run the offense. There were plenty times during the year when the O actually ran smoother with DJ in. What Felton does that DJ hasn't shown yet is the ability to break his man down and get into the lane, then set up his big man. DJ does the drive halfway into the lane and kick out play well. He knows the playbook and is just as good in the open court.

DJ will be fine next year, especially without Felton. When DJ has started, every game, He has produced. So i'm not sure where anyone got that idea from.

[Chef]

he should be playing summer league. third year pro or not.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I'm saying he might be better as a starter. He certainly could not excel with second unit guys. Last year's stats don't lie.

Face it, guys. DJ was largely ineffective as a PG last year. For much of the season--especially the first half--he couldn't defend, distribute, or score. But I'm trying to look for a silver lining. The one thing he has done well in both of his NBA seasons is nail 3-pointers. Playing 30 minutes a night off of Jackson, a far superior creator, might be the best way to use his abilities.

[DY_nasty]

I'm saying he might be better as a starter. He certainly could not excel with second unit guys. Last year's stats don't lie.

Face it, guys. DJ was largely ineffective as a PG last year. For much of the season--especially the first half--he couldn't defend, distribute, or score. But I'm trying to look for a silver lining. The one thing he has done well in both of his NBA seasons is nail 3-pointers. Playing 30 minutes a night off of Jackson, a far superior creator, might be the best way to use his abilities.
At some point, people are going to have to look at Larry Brown as the direct cause of that too.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I can't understand why so many people are saying DJ can't run the offense. There were plenty times during the year when the O actually ran smoother with DJ in. What Felton does that DJ hasn't shown yet is the ability to break his man down and get into the lane, then set up his big man. DJ does the drive halfway into the lane and kick out play well. He knows the playbook and is just as good in the open court.

DJ will be fine next year, especially without Felton. When DJ has started, every game, He has produced. So i'm not sure where anyone got that idea from.

DJ only started 2 games last year. He started 12 the year before, but with fellow PG Felton as the other starting guard.

So it remains to be seen how he will do as the starting PG without Felton next to him.

I know I sound like a broken record, but maybe all DJ needs is 30 minutes a night playing with Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. It all feeds off of those guys anyway.

[murphman]

I know I sound like a broken record, but maybe all DJ needs is 30 minutes a night playing with Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. It all feeds off of those guys anyway.

Think of it like this. Rajon's rookie season he started 25 games (mostly towards the end when the playoffs were out of reach). He was raw with flashes. Then the team acquires Allen and Garnett to team with Paul to form the big three. A lot of investment went into that assembly. And who's shoulders did they place that investment on to run it? All season as the team looked amazing the big question was not if the big three could win a championship but if Rajon would ruin it. He didn't and now look at him.

All I'm saying is give DJ a chance because the results could be amazing.

Although we need a real solid backup just in case.

[GoBobs]

DJ only started 2 games last year. He started 12 the year before, but with fellow PG Felton as the other starting guard.

So it remains to be seen how he will do as the starting PG without Felton next to him.

I know I sound like a broken record, but maybe all DJ needs is 30 minutes a night playing with Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. It all feeds off of those guys anyway.

Didn't you just get finished telling us how he could never be a successful starting pg in this league as a result of his 5'11' height and his below average athletic ability. I am confused. I thought you had this all worked out before he was drafted.

[GoBobs]

Playing 30 minutes a night off of Jackson, a far superior creator, might be the best way to use his abilities.

Are you talking about the Jackson that created 3.2 turnovers per game and 3.6 assists per game last season.(and it only got worse in the playoffs naturally) The only shot I trust Jackson to create is his own.

DJ by contrast had 2.4 assists and 0.9 turnovers a much better ratio.

[amour217]

If we buy DJ some stilts, will that count against the cap?

[ajbry]

Are you talking about the Jackson that created 3.2 turnovers per game and 3.6 assists per game last season.(and it only got worse in the playoffs naturally) The only shot I trust Jackson to create is his own.

DJ by contrast had 2.4 assists and 0.9 turnovers a much better ratio.

That is a horribly simplistic way of determining how well a player creates and distributes. If you put that much stock into AST/TO, players like Jose Calderon and Chris Duhon look like all-time greats.

Jack was a midseason acquisition, sometimes I think you may forget that. You expected him to immediately be aware of his teammates' tendencies and strengths?

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Didn't you just get finished telling us how he could never be a successful starting pg in this league as a result of his 5'11' height and his below average athletic ability. I am confused. I thought you had this all worked out before he was drafted.

My argument was that he didn't warrant a lottery selection because of his limitations, and that Brook Lopez definitely DID warrant a lottery selection.

If DJ is all we are gonna have for the starting PG option, I'm trying to look for the ways it can work out for him.

DJ had his best days playing alongside Felton, another PG who could help create Augustin's scoring opportunities. Maybe the Boris/Jack combo can do the same.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Are you talking about the Jackson that created 3.2 turnovers per game and 3.6 assists per game last season.(and it only got worse in the playoffs naturally) The only shot I trust Jackson to create is his own.

DJ by contrast had 2.4 assists and 0.9 turnovers a much better ratio.

Adding to what ajbry said.....

It's not that Jack is a bad passer/ballhandler. Jack had more turnovers because he attempted to score far more than other players. And he did so successfully, of course.

It's common basketball sense: If a player is good at freeing himself up for scores, he SHOULD attempt to do so a lot. That will result in a few extra turnovers by said player, but it is a small price to pay.

If you want the ball in one Bobcat's hands, it is Jack's. He's a scoring threat, and he is able to set up other teammates for scores. Jack's a fairly complete offensive player.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Are you talking about the Jackson that created 3.2 turnovers per game and 3.6 assists per game last season.(and it only got worse in the playoffs naturally) The only shot I trust Jackson to create is his own.

DJ by contrast had 2.4 assists and 0.9 turnovers a much better ratio.

Also, Jack was better in his previous season at Golden State: 6+ assists to 3.88 turnovers while averaging 20 points a night.

[Ghost Kat]

Other then DJ's shooting I saw no real accoutable let off in any other areas. Even with Felton in the game DJ was still playing PG for the most part. As of right now I'm very happy letting Felton go and giving DJ the keys

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Other then DJ's shooting I saw no real accoutable let off in any other areas. Even with Felton in the game DJ was still playing PG for the most part. As of right now I'm very happy letting Felton go and giving DJ the keys

82 games is a lot of viewing time, and it's quite possible we just watched different parts of the season from each other. I didn't see DJ's impressive stretches in '09-10. In '08-09, yes, I saw it. Even attended the Bulls win where he was the big hero. But I just didn't see it last year. And I know Rick Bonnell saw fit to ask Larry Brown what was wrong with DJ. And Larry basically said he didn't know. So there was an issue.

Whether DJ was technically the PG next to Felton or not, he seems to have had his best scoring results playing next to Felton, another PG. I thought they seemed to be interchangeable initiating the offense playing together. I thought DJ benefitted from Felton's at least DECENT playmaking abilities in '08-09.

This recent season, Larry Brown himself made a statement to the effect that DJ possibly needed more time with Felton like he got in his rookie year.