Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas was so impressed with point guard D.J. Augustin's first practice Tuesday that Silas might trash his plan and start Augustin tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"From watching him out here, I'm considering it," Silas said after Augustin tested his inflamed right big toe for the first time since aggravating the injury Jan. 22 in New Jersey.
Silas had planned to play Augustin no more than 15 minutes his first game back, after missing 11 games, all losses. Augustin was able to cut and burst off his right foot so effectively that Silas now is looking to be bolder.
The Bobcats are on a 15-game losing streak, and Augustin's value has been more apparent in his absence. Rookie Kemba Walker has improved as a point guard in Augustin's absence, but the offense has never run as smoothly since Augustin went down.
Silas said that's a combination of Augustin's familiarity with the plays and him being the Bobcats' best shooter. Teams can't play off him on the pick-and-roll, as they can against Walker, so that opens scoring opportunities for others.
"He's a great shooter - if he's open, he has a better than 50-50 chance of making a shot. But (as far as) running the ball club, we really didn't have anybody looking for the assists and getting us into what we need to run" in Augustin's absence, Silas said.
"I was very seldom calling plays. He was calling them, himself."
Augustin saw two foot specialists during the past month and both recommended rest and therapy to calm the inflamed tendons in his toe. He said he was a little sore after practice Tuesday but confident he's ready to play again.
"I'll be ready to go. Excited to be playing, and I don't want to be hurt again," Augustin said. "Before I couldn't push off my right foot, either offensively or defensively. Today in practice I could play defense and drive to the goal and do what I do. It felt good."
Augustin said he's still waiting for Nike to deliver customized shoes to better protect his toe.
"I need to have confidence - play like nothing is wrong with it," Augustin said. "If I worry about it, I might do something to it."
Once Augustin returns to the starting lineup, Walker likely will become a backup, rather than shift over primarily to shooting guard. He anticipates that and isn't bothered by it.
Silas has said it's a priority to beef up the bench as injured players return.
Shooting guard Gerald Henderson (strained right hamstring) is the last key player still injured. Silas said Henderson might be back by the end of a three-game road trip to Minnesota, Toronto and Indiana.
