Former Bulls guard Augustin goes up against Brooks
After Aaron Brooks pulled off an effective Nate Robinson impersonation Saturday against Boston, it was easy to forget there was another backup point guard who helped save a Bulls season.
He was back in the building Monday with the Pistons. D.J. Augustin finished with 16 points and 2 assists, playing down the stretch when Detroit clawed within 2 points of the Bulls.
Augustin signed with the Pistons as a free agent last summer after a career-revitalizing season in Chicago.
The second quarter was practically a 1-on-1 duel between Brooks and Augustin. Brooks started with a driving lay-in, pullup 3-pointer and fastbreak dish to Taj Gibson for a dunk.
Augustin answered with his own driving bank shot, then finished a 3-point play, drawing a foul on Nikola Mirotic.
Brandon Jennings was one of the Pistons' big additions a year ago and remains the starter. But he and Augustin are splitting point guard minutes almost evenly. Heading into Monday's game, Augustin was averaging 11.8 points and Jennings 12.7.
"Look, I would love to play our two point guards together more and get them both more minutes," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said before the game. "Unfortunately, neither one of them is 6-4, 6-5, so it makes it a little bit tough.
"D.J., he's very, very good. He's been all that we've hoped for and more. He's done an outstanding job. I think he can run a team. He obviously can score the ball. He's a better defender than people give him credit for."
Strong words on Butler:
Before Monday's game, Stan Van Gundy tried using Jimmy Butler as a role model for his second-year guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
"KCP, at least right now, doesn't have anywhere near Jimmy Butler's level of strength," Van Gundy said. "Jimmy Butler is one of the most forceful, strongest perimeter defenders in the league.
"But you can certainly learn (from) his aggressiveness, his intelligence and everything else. … I don't have any doubts that (Caldwell-Pope) can be a great perimeter defender in this league as he learns more.
SVG talks Thibs:
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau spent several years working with Jeff Van Gundy in New York and Houston. Jeff's brother, Stan, thinks highly of Thibodeau as well.
"This team defends, rebounds and executes on the offensive end," the Pistons coach said of the Bulls. "What more do you want? This is one of the best-coached teams in the league, night in and night out. They're thoroughly prepared. They play hard every night. They've got some of the best competitors in this league."
Bull horns:
The Bulls outrebounded the opposition (49-46) for the first time since opening night in New York. They had been beaten on the boards in six straight games. … The Pistons, who started the night ranked last in the league in field-goal percentage, shot 51 percent in the second half.