Two weeks ago, Stacey Augmon was wasting away on the Charlotte Hornets' bench not sure when he'd ever work his way back into the rotation.

Two weeks ago, Augmon was looking like the team's biggest free-agent bust of the off-season.

But that's all changed in recent days, and Augmon suddenly finds himself playing a significant role and making a key contribution to the Hornets' newfound success.

It turns out that all he needed was time - time to fit in with his new teammates, and playing time to find his rhythm.

"There's not anything special going on," Augmon said as the Hornets prepared for tonight's game against the Detroit Pistons at the Charlotte Coliseum. "I'm just getting out there and getting a chance to play. It's hard when you're not playing much, but right now the opportunity is presenting itself and I'm trying to make the best of it."

Coach Paul Silas said he couldn't be happier with the way things have worked out.

Silas needed someone - everyone - to step up and come through after Jamal Mashburn went on the injured list last week, and Augmon has definitely answered the call.

"He's a vet, he knows how to play the game, and he's really coming through right now," Silas said. "I think it was just a matter of him getting out there and getting familiar with what we're doing and getting his confidence up a little, and when all that happened he started playing harder, too. It's one of those things where everything is just falling into place right now."