Today’s OKC Thunder and Their Historic NBA Counterparts

#9 – Current Thunder Player – D.J. Augustin

David’s Historic Counterpart – Dana Barros

Stats per 36 minutes:

With both guards generously listed at 5’11”, it seemed like a fair comparison. But the numbers are strikingly even, with Barros’ outside shooting being superior (enough to lead to a career-high of 53 points in 1995) while Augustin is a better passer.

But it’s the stories that are similar, a familiar trait of being passed over because of their size in a league that is trying to get bigger/better/faster all the time. Barros was selected by Seattle in 1989 and played with four teams during his 14-year career. Still, he couldn’t shake off the sigma of being undersized and he could never stick around for more than a few years per team.

Augustin, in just his seventh year, is on his sixth different team but has added value wherever he’s been. He’s stepped in beautifully as OKC’s backup point guard and has even started a game when Russell Westbrook sat out due to injury. While he may not always be the long-term solution at PG, it’s guys like him and Barros that always seem to carve a place for themselves in the league.

Plus, I can’t deny the appeal of comparing Augustin to Barros so I can include this video from Dana’s (mercifully) short-lived career as a rapper:

Next: #8 - Mr. Blue-Collar Worker