DJ Augustin Close to a Decision

by awiggo on Apr 18, 2008 9:18 AM CDT in Basketball Comment 13 comments

According to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle, DJ Augustin is close to declaring for the NBA draft. Duarte speculates that DJ will not sign with an agent and still could return to Texas.

I have a couple of issues with this article.

Augustin was projected as a lottery pick (among the top 14) early this season before his stock began to plummet in the NCAA Tournament.

That is a bit harsh and a bit simplistic. Derrick Rose made a lot of opponents look silly during Memphis' run to the finals. In my opinion, DJ's stock is not being hurt by his NCAA tournament performance but instead by the number of quality underclassmen who have already declared for the draft.

Which brings me to my second issue with Duarte's post,

That list could grow in the next week with Darren Collison (UCLA) and Eric Gordon (Indiana) expected to enter the draft.

Gordon declared over a week ago and even though he hasn't yet hired an agent, there is almost no chance that Gordon returns to Indiana.

Anyway, the thoughts on Orangebloods.com indicate that DJ will sit down with his family this week and will likely make an announcement early next week. I still think Augustin declares but I'm less certain now than I was just a few weeks ago.

One last thing to consider. If DJ stays, then the Longhorns will need someone to transfer or move off scholarship in order to sign another player in the 2008 class. With Tyreke Evans committing to Memphis, the top kid on the Longhorns' board is Devin Ebanks, a 6-7 wing player. Ebanks will be in town next weekend for an official visit. He has already visited West Virginia and has a visit scheduled for Memphis in a couple of weeks. Ebanks is probably another one-and-done kid, though.

A couple of sceanrios: 1) DJ stays and Ebanks signs elsewhere; 2) DJ stays, Ebanks signs with the Longhorns, and someone transfers; 3) DJ leaves and Ebanks signs; 4) DJ leaves and Ebanks signs elsewhere and the 'Horns sign Jeff Taylor or possibly nobody.

I'd be fine with any scenario but #1 #4.

DJ's deadline to declare for the NBA draft is April 27th.

--AW--

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By fine with any but #1

Do you mean any but #4?

by BoddickerIsClutch on Apr 18, 2008 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My bad

Corrected.

--AW--

by awiggo on Apr 18, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ebanks

I'm aware that we're on Ebanks's shortlist, but I thought it was more of a Tyreke Evans situation, where we're on the list but not really "on the list."

I'm really hoping DJ comes back. Hey, it worked for Matt Leinart...he learned how to ballroom dance real good.

My adopted kid is pure genius at the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

by jc25 on Apr 18, 2008 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

I think the Longhorns have a good shot at Ebanks. Not a great shot but a good one. The word now is that Evans will try to recruit Ebanks to Memphis. Hoepfully that will not happen.

Even if Calipair loses Rose, CDR, and Dosey, they will rebound quickly if he adds both Evans and Ebanks.

--AW--

by awiggo on Apr 18, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Declaring

It's got to be one of those choices that you already know the answer, no matter how long you think about it. You can weigh the options and draw it out, but in the back of your mind, I'd think you'd probably already know the answer. Just declare, DJ you're not fooling anybody. ( i still love you)

by owenh on Apr 18, 2008 11:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's still all about the money

By now it is clear that DJ will not be a starter for a good NBA team due to his size and the obvious holes in his game. But his college record makes him a mid-first round pick, where the guaranteed money is almost as good is for a lottery pick. Three years from now, who knows where he will be, so best to just take the money now.

by Caradoc on Apr 19, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Situation #1

So you'd rather get Ebanks for one year than DJ? I don't see how that is worse than option 4.

by Goop on Apr 18, 2008 11:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My bad

Corrected. Put in wrong number this morning.

--AW--

by awiggo on Apr 18, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

J'Covan Brown

I know Brown committed to Texas in the fall, but does anyone know if he's planning on signing? I haven't heard anything about him since he committed and the fact that he didn't sign early worries me a little. Is he looking around? Is he for sure signing? Any info would be great.

'Til Gabriel blows his horn...

by mattyj on Apr 18, 2008 12:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Waiting till Monday to sign

According to the AAS

Brown and his father, Johnny Ray, said Tuesday that J'Covan probably will wait until Monday to make it official, so that he is eligible to compete in an AAU tournament for this weekend.

http://www.statesman.com/longhorns/c...

by fredo on Apr 18, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: AAS Article

That last bullet is particularly interesting:

Jeff Taylor, a 6-7 wing from Hobbs, N.M., has said he will choose either Texas or Vanderbilt after recently eliminating Gonzaga. He might not have a decision until next week.

I don't know much about Taylor, but if that's true and it's between us and Vandy, AND he's deciding next week...that sounds like Barnes knows a thing or two about whether DJ's taking off, or he's already got some creative bookkeeping at work.

My adopted kid is pure genius at the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

by jc25 on Apr 19, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

does this make sense?

"Augustin could use another college season to hone his skills, two NBA officials told the Houston Chronicle on the condition they not be identified. At 6 feet, Augustin has trouble compensating for his size disadvantage against bigger defenders and lacks a quick first step and a quick shot, according to one scout who watched him during the tournament."

Are these really things you can work on? If it was like, develop a mid range game, tear drop, work on outside shooting nba range etc. I can understand. Quickness maybe a little, but not really something to stay in college for?

by tenuki on Apr 18, 2008 12:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think they're saying that exactly

they're saying he needs to develop skills to compensate for the fact that he's short. One of those skills that would help him compensate is a quick first step, like Chris Paul has. DJ doesn't have that quite so much so he has to work on other compensatory skills.

by billyzane on Apr 18, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs