Augustin wins battle with Rose handily

In a matchup between two of the top young guards in the NBA, Augustin took center stage over Rose, scoring 29 points to Rose's 6.

In this past June’s NBA Draft, Memphis guard Derrick Rose drew all of the attention. He was picked number one, and rightfully so, but, after him, there were plenty of stellar guards chosen. D.J. Augustin, a guard out of Texas, was the fourth point guard taken in the first ten picks, falling to the Charlotte Bobcats at number nine.

Rose’s selection by the Chicago Bulls made sense, not only because he was the best player avaliable, but because he filled a need. Charlotte’s selection of Augustin, however, was a bit more puzzling. The team was already set at point guard with Raymond Felton at the helm, but still had high hopes for Augustin, and vowed to make him an integral part of their offense. Another reason why his pick was perplexing because the Bobcats desperately needed scoring, hence a shooting guard. Yet, as the draft went along, it became known that they had an another way of selecting a scorer, trading for the explosive Jason Richardson from the Golden State Warriors. Even though they added a much needed piece in Richardson, the same couldn’t be said about Augustin.

So far this season, Rose has exceeded expectations as the starting point guard of the Bulls, averaging 18 points and 6 assists per game. He has showcased what drove him to take over the top spot in the draft from current Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley, relentless power, quickness, a surprisingly good shot, especially from the free throw line, and a knack for leading a team. All of these intangibles were on display during his lone season at Memphis University (except his free throw shooting, of course), and has since transferred easily over to the NBA game. His strength and leadership is exactly what Chicago needed, even though the team already had two capable point guards, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, on their depth chart. Ben Gordon has excelled at shooting guard, playing along side Rose, while Hinrich has been downgraded to the bench. Both Gordon and Hinrich have talent, but Rose was their guy. He’s shown why.

Except in their latest contest against Augustin’s Bobcats. He was manhandled by Augustin in every which way, as the Bobcats pulled out the win in overtime by nine, 110-101. Rose had perhaps his worst performance as a pro, scoring just six points on 3-16 shooting. Though his scoring input wasn’t up to par, he still managed to make his presence felt, dishing seven assists and grabbing five rebounds.

Augustin, his counterpart, was helped out by the first quarter ejection of starting shooting guard Raja Bell (who was recently acquired for Richardson), and referee Eli Roe. Roe issued out Bell’s dismissal, and made a terrible call in the closing seconds to give Charlotte, and Augustin, the chance tie the game. Augustin poured in a career high 29 points, making 4 threes and all 13 free throws, but should have been limited to 26 points and 10 free throws. Rose, who was guarding Augustin all game long, was whistled for a foul with 19 seconds left, sending Augustin to the line for three free throws. It looked as if Rose didn’t touch Augustin on the arm while he attempted the three-pointer, but the Bobcats guard did what all savvy shooters do: oversell. He flung his arms in the air and, much to the dismay of Rose and the Bulls, calmly knocked down all three free throws.

Rose, with plenty of time left to get a good shot off, took the ball at the top of the key, waited, dribbled left, willed himself to the basket and attempted a game-winning layup. Veteran power forward Emeka Okafor would have none of it, making sure Rose’s awful game wouldn’t end in triumph by swatting his shot, forcing overtime.

After the game, both made the impression that the call was a poor one by Roe. Rose said, wittily, “I guess I blinked too hard.” Augustin had a similar take, saying with a smile, “that’s what the ref called.”

Though Rose has put up better numbers of the two in his rookie season, aside from the call, Augustin had the upper hand in this intriguing matchup.