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After a rough start as a rookie, Augustin’s turnaround as a player coincided with the arrival Silas last December.
Under former coach Larry Brown, Augustin was timid and often afraid to shoot. Then Silas arrived.
“Playing for coach Brown, I was looking over my shoulder because I didn’t want to make a mistake,” Augustin said. “He’s still a great coach and taught me a lot of fundamentals. But with coach Silas, he gives you that chance to be free and make plays.”
That was never more evident than in a game last season against Minnesota.
Augustin was having a horrible night shooting from the field, and Silas noticed he was starting to pass up open shots.
So Silas called a timeout.
When Augustin got the sideline, Silas looked him in the eyes and gave the 6-foot point guard a lesson he’s never forgotten.
“I brought him over to the bench and I said, `Son, if you ever pass up another shot I’m going to take you out of the game and I’m not going to play you at all,'” Silas said. “I told him, `Listen, every time you get the ball, I want you to shoot it.'”
— Via Steve Reed of the Associated Press
