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Sorrentino: Texas floor general resembles NBA MVP

By Eric Sorrentino (Contact)

Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Texas point guard D.J. Augustin is like an artist with the basketball, gracefully competing in a rapidly moving sport with 100 percent control of his maneuvers.

Like a jazz artist from his hometown of New Orleans, Augustin improvises, producing dazzling results with the sound of his tune.

When you mix these ingredients in an NCAA Tournament blender, it produces a point guard that has a natural ability to create his own shots and set up his teammates for equally high-percentage looks.

In fact, Augustin’s game closely resembles a two-time NBA MVP with the Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash.

Nash, known mostly for his unconventional style of play, now has an NCAA version of himself in Augustin.

The similarities were evident in UT’s 75-72 victory against Miami (Fla.) on Sunday in Little Rock, Ark.

For instance, with 12:15 remaining in the second half, UT freshman Gary Johnson set a pick for Augustin near the three-point line on the right wing. Augustin dribbled to his left toward the middle of the floor, split a pair of Miami defenders and prepared for a jump shot near the free-throw line. As Augustin leaned into his shot, he noticed Miami’s Raymond Hicks elevating from the low post in an attempt for a block. In mid-air, Augustin pulled down his shot attempt and looped a one-handed pass behind Hicks’ back to A.J. Abrams, who drilled a three-pointer from the left wing.

Sound familiar?

Nash regularly puts himself in similar improvisational situations, where he drives the lane and finds the open man in an unorthodox fashion. Sometimes, the pass comes in the air off one foot. Sometimes, it takes two or three pump fakes in mid-air before the open man is found. The pass almost always is in the right spot, though.

It’s fitting Augustin’s game began to resemble Nash’s this season. Augustin attended Nash’s summer basketball camp last June. He’s studied film on Nash. Augustin’s proving on the national stage that he’s picked up some tips.

Similarities between the two guards were also evident in the way Augustin shot the ball. With 4:14 remaining Sunday, Augustin set up on the left wing without the ball. A simple screen on his defender freed up Augustin for an open shot on the right elbow. After he received the ball, Augustin faded away slightly, accompanying the rotation of the basketball with a noticeable arc. Nothing but net.

That’s classic Nash, when he creates separation on his shot by fading away.

The similarities between Augustin and Nash show up in what they do best on the floor — score and dish. The UT sophomore averages 19.4 points and 5.7 assists per game. The 34-year-old NBA veteran averages 17.5 points and 11.3 assists per game.

They’re about the same build, too. Augustin is 6 feet and 180 pounds. Nash is listed at 6-3 and 178 pounds, but if you stood the two next to each other, you likely wouldn’t notice much of a height difference.

Augustin is the primary reason Texas is making its fifth Sweet 16 appearance in seven years.

If Augustin turns pro after this season, it’d be riveting to see him in a Western Conference point guard battle against Nash in the near future.