Augustin leaps right into the fray
MILWAUKEE — The Bulls needed some help after a rash of injuries, so they didn’t bother with an acclimation process for D.J. Augustin.
The 6-foot point guard officially signed with the Bulls on Friday afternoon, then checked into the game late in the first quarter against the Bucks.
“His shooting is something we really need,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game. “The way teams have collapsed on us, we need somebody to hit an open shot.”
Augustin played 12 minutes against the Bucks and didn’t score. He went 0-for-3 from the field, including 0-for-2 from 3-point range, with an assist.
He was released this week by Toronto to make room for the players acquired from Sacramento in the Rudy Gay trade.
“I’m excited, man,” Augustin told reporters at the morning shootaround. “It’s a great team, great organization. I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Augustin had rosy start:Augustin didn#146;t play much in Toronto this season and fell out of favor last year when he was the backup point guard in Indiana. But his career got off to a good start in Charlotte.One memorable game was on Dec. 16, 2008, when Augustin piled up 29 points, 7 assists and hit 4 of 7 attempts from 3-point range in a 110-101 win over the Bulls. Fellow rookie Derrick Rose went 3-for-16 from the field for 6 points that night for the Bulls.#147;He#146;s had a mix,#148; Thibodeau said of Augustin. #147;I thought he did a good job under Larry Brown. I thought he played very well in Charlotte for a while. Then he#146;s bounced around a little bit. He#146;s been up and down.#147;Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. I like the fact that he#146;s young. He#146;s started a number of games in this league and he#146;s shown that he can hit a 3. I think those two things are a big plus, and he appears to be motivated. So hopefully it works out.#148;No tanks for Thibs:Before Friday#146;s game, coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about the belief several teams are trying to lose in order to get a high pick in a supposedly loaded draft next June.#147;To me, as a coach, you put everything you have into each and every day,#148; Thibodeau said. #147;That#146;s what I love about our team. There#146;s no quit in our team. We#146;re going to play to win. I think once you start doing those other things, you#146;re heading down a slippery slope.#147;I think every game is winnable. As we get guys back (from injury), I think we#146;re going to be fine. I have great belief in our team, and that#146;s the way you approach it.#148;