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Oklahoma City Thunder’s D.J. Augustin: Storm Chaser

By Nathan Van Hoff

Feb 24, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) handles the ball against Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) handles the ball against Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Dorell Wright (1) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Dorell Wright (1) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Nine Games In

Augustin has “hit the ground running” since joining the Thunder. He jumped right into their heated Western Conference playoff race and started making an impact, in an admittedly small sample size so far. However, being able to contribute right away after switching teams and systems should not be taken for granted.

It has been especially important for the Thunder and their aforementioned playoff race. Below are his numbers with the Thunder to this point.

G GS MP FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL TOV PTS
9 1 27.3 .403 1.8 4.6 .390 1.7 2 .833 3.4 3.7 0.9 1.1 10.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/9/2015.

Augustin has already started a game for the Thunder while Westbrook was out due to surgery for a fracture in his right zygomatic arch bone (cheekbone). In that start, the Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101 with Augustin putting up 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal in 41 minutes of playing time. More importantly, he ran the team.

From Darnell Mayberry for NewsOK,

“He really controlled the game,” said Thunder guard Jeremy Lamb, who served as the pseudo backup point guard and scored 14 points in 16 minutes. “He was aggressive when he needed to be. He passed the ball when he needed to. He just kept us under control. He just handled himself and he handled the team very well. He was great.”

Thunder head coach Scott Brooks agreed. Also from Mayberry,

“What he did well tonight is he got everybody involved,” Brooks said. “He’s only been here for a couple of weeks now and he’s still learning the system defensively and offensively. But he’s a winner … I thought he did a good job throughout the game.”

More Brooks from Anthony Slater for NewsOK,

“He understands how to play,” Brooks said. “He’s been in that position all his life. He knows how to move the ball. He’s not just going to keep it in one place. So I like that.”

And the former MVP, Kevin Durant, had this to say about their new point guard. From Slater,

“He’s tough,” Durant said. “Tough as nails. He can do it all as a point guard: score, facilitate, shoot the ball, play off the ball, quick. Great pick-up for us.”

Sounds like he has won over the coach and MVP pretty quickly.

Next: Compared To Reggie Jackson

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