D.J. Augustin at Point Will Be Key to Bobcats' Season

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Two minutes after Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown had finished with point guard D.J. Augustin, veteran Stephen Jackson was tutoring him on the sideline following their game day morning practice.

A few minutes later, it was an assistant coach who was lecturing Augustin, making sure he understood what both Brown and Jackson had just told him. And just before they were leaving the gym, veteran Gerald Wallace had sidled up to Augustin, clarifying what the other three had said.

The object of everyone's attention just smiled.

"My turn has come,'' Augustin said Thursday when everyone finished. "And everyone just wants me to do well.''

With his safety net gone, Augustin has become the quiet key to the upstart Charlotte Bobcats, prepared to show now he belongs in the NBA, and they belong back in the playoffs.

"Nacho Libre (Augustin), he's the head to this monster,'' Jackson said. "And as he goes, we'll go this season. We need him to succeed. We need him to run things the proper way. And I think will. He's going to surprise all those people who already counted him out.''

The Works: Charlotte Bobcats Season Preview

Augustin, now in his third NBA season, didn't become the Bobcats' starting point guard because they were thrilled with the way he played as a backup last season. He didn't play very well, and they didn't have much choice when free agent Raymond Felton left for New York, taking an offer they didn't want to match.

"He has to be there now,'' said Brown. "And I think he'll do well.''

Augustin came into the NBA with considerable hype, the No. 9 pick of the 2008 draft after two years at the University of Texas, where he won the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top college point guard.
"Nacho Libre (Augustin), he's the head to this monster. And as he goes, we'll go this season. We need him to succeed. ... people who already counted him out."
- Charlotte Bobcats'
Stephen Jackson
Yet he hasn't looked so hot in Charlotte, showing considerable potential as a rookie behind Felton, but slumping last season when his scoring and assists dipped significantly, casting doubts about his future. This is the season he either establishes himself, or starts his fade.

The Bobcats reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season, winning 44 games, but the prospects of improving, or even repeating, clearly rests with Augustin.

"There's no pressure, it's just basketball,'' Augustin said. "I can't tell you about the future, but I hope to make us better. I've got to be ready.''

Augustin looked ready to shine Thursday night in a 86-73 loss to the Magic, getting a game-high 17 points and four assists in 33 minutes. He hit three 3-pointers in the first half. He threw a nifty assist to reserve Derrick Brown.

And while Felton was badly outplayed by Jameer Nelson of the Magic in their first-round matchup last spring, Augustin more than held his own against Chris Duhon, who started for the Magic Thursday. Augustin also blew past Nelson on one drive to the basket in the second half.

The Bobcats lost their fourth consecutive exhibition game, which was not lost on Augustin.

"I thought I played okay, but we need to win some games,'' he said. "Everyone wants to play as much as you can. I'm no different. It helped to watch (the last two years), but everyone is itching to play. There aren't enough minutes for everyone. You just have to be ready when the times comes. I think I'm ready for this.''