DJ Augustin says Tom Thibodeau helped him love basketball again
By Josh Hill
The Detroit Pistons signed point guard D.J. Augustin this summer, which wouldn’t have been a big deal last year but was a pretty decent signing this year.
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That’s all thanks to Augustin’s work in Chicago with the Bulls last season. In the absence of Derrick Rose, the Bulls leaned on Augustin a lot and it ended up showing off a new, rejuvenated side of him that Detroit then handed a hefty contract to this offseason.
Augustin tole Keith Langlois of Pistons.com that the reason he loves the game of basketball again is thanks to Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.
"“Not only did he give me the opportunity, he actually brought my love for the game back,” Augustin said. “You kind of lose that a little bit, your passion for the game, throughout the years in the NBA depending on playing time and different situations you may be put in…I owe him a lot. I give him credit for bringing my passion for the game back and wanting to learn and play hard. [Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy] reminds me a lot of [Thibodeau]. They’re both good coaches. He’s putting us on the right track to be a good team.”"
There hasn’t been a player in the league who has played for Thibodeau and said something bad about him. Not only is the man a defensive guru but he’s someone who gets the absolute most out of everyone who is on his roster. Thibs is a master of basketball and guys like D.J. Augustin have had their careers extended and bumped up in value thanks to working with the coach.
Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.