Kemba vs the Knicks

[TopDog18]

Anyone going to the game tonight to see Kemba play his first NBA game at The Garden? The way the Knicks been playing, could be an interesting game.

Also, any word if UConn will be at the game?

 

[FluxTZ]

I was going to try going to the game but not gonna work out.

And I doubt the team is at the game....

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[WingU]

Anyone going to the game tonight to see Kemba play his first NBA game at The Garden? The way the Knicks been playing, could be an interesting game.

Also, any word if UConn will be at the game?

I believe i saw something that said Ollie was attending but the rest of the team had a different commitment to attend

 

[UConnMike04]

I hate this...but love it. I'm a huge Knicks fan...I want Kemba to tear it up, but lose. Hell, he's won enough

 

[HarryAGampel]

Anyone have a link for the game?

 

[61cygni]

Knicks v. Bobcats

 

[HarryAGampel]

Thanks.

 

[61cygni]

Augustin 0-3, looks good though with 6 assists already in the first.

 

[Gurleyman]

No point in comparing Augustin stats to Kemba's for the time being. Augustin is much, much better right now. Kemba brought his C game to the NBA - shooting as bad as he did as a freshman and not really creating much on a regular basis. He shows flashes, such as a great pick and roll with Mullens today, but he has a long, long way to go. I was going to pay for NBA League pass to follow him this year, but I'm hedging.

 

[champs99and04]

No point in comparing Augustin stats to Kemba's for the time being. Augustin is much, much better right now. Kemba brought his C game to the NBA - shooting as bad as he did as a freshman and not really creating much on a regular basis. He shows flashes, such as a great pick and roll with Mullens today, but he has a long, long way to go. I was going to pay for NBA League pass to follow him this year, but I'm hedging.

I disagree. It's close, but DJ is the veteran, and is therefore more comfortable in the system, and has a little more room for error. Kemba has more talent, DJ is just more experienced. Give Kemba 30-40 minutes a game and his numbers will be just as good.

 

[61cygni]

It really just looks like a similar position to his sophomore year, where he needs to get that perimeter shot going and everything will become much easier for him. In the Charlotte offense, a lot of his shots are coming on long jumpers or threes, and that's just not a strength for him right now and defenders are playing him with that in mind.

 

[Gurleyman]

I was hoping Kemba would beat him out, but it probably won't be this year. Augustin is a very good triple-threat right now, can shoot, drive and pass, and just has a very good feel (being used to the system and his teammates helps, of course). Kemba isn't doing any of those things well yet at the NBA level. It's going to take him this whole season to approach Augustin's level. Next year may be entirely different - I suspect we'll see a huge jump in Kemba's performance after some time under his belt, a full training camp and the confidence which comes with a better comfort level.

 

[champs99and04]

I was hoping Kemba would beat him out, but it probably won't be this year. Augustin is a very good triple-threat right now, can shoot, drive and pass, and just has a very good feel (being used to the system and his teammates helps, of course). Kemba isn't doing any of those things well yet at the NBA level. It's going to take him this whole season to approach Augustin's level. Next year may be entirely different - I suspect we'll see a huge jump in Kemba's performance after some time under his belt, a full training camp and the confidence which comes with a better comfort level.

You're probably right, I just think it is going to take 10-15 games for Kemba to get used to the speed of the NBA game, especially with no pre-season or training camp. IMO, the Bobcats would be better served to trade Augustine. Not just because I'm a homer, but because I feel like the Bobcats need to bottom out and rebuild, while getting the young kids some time.

 

[Gurleyman]

On the plus side, the fourth quarter was the best he played this year so far. Not just shooting 3-3, but running the offense well finding Diaw on the perimeter, splitting a double with ease, etc. He came in at the end of the third and had a terrible possession where he dribbled for 20 seconds and took a contested 22-footer, but after that he looked good. That's what he needs to do - take baby steps each night and avoid the 3-point line unless he can really step into the shot. Hopefully, he'll reach the point where, on a given night, he'll have things going better than Augustine and get the crunch time minutes.

 

[champs99and04]

On the plus side, the fourth quarter was the best he played this year so far. Not just shooting 3-3, but running the offense well finding Diaw on the perimeter, splitting a double with ease, etc. He came in at the end of the third and had a terrible possession where he dribbled for 20 seconds and took a contested 22-footer, but after that he looked good. That's what he needs to do - take baby steps each night and avoid the 3-point line unless he can really step into the shot. Hopefully, he'll reach the point where, on a given night, he'll have things going better than Augustine and get the crunch time minutes.

I thought he looked good tonight. Only 3 of 8 shooting for seven points, but he had 5 assists and a couple steals in only 14 minutes. He's only shooting 36% on the season, but his per minute numbers have been very good. Give him 30-40 minutes and he'll fill the box score like a Ty Lawson type player.

 

[ford82]

Kemba is a better defender than Augustine is. Defense is always overlooked.

 

[UConn3432]

It's January, It's not April. After all Kemba has done for the program you're just going to turn on him like that? You should all still be on your knees thanking him for the nat'l championship.

 

[jfuchs91]

Just got back from the game. Not really a Knicks fan, so I was really only there for Kemba. Wished he played a bit more. He struggled with his shot early on, but definitely played well in the 4th Quarter.

He clearly is still getting used to the NBA level, and Augustin has the experience edge right now, but Kemba's talent will win out in the end. Despite his size, he'll turn into a very good scorer and defender in the NBA. It'll be fun to see how he progresses over the season.

 

[Silk City]

Also just got back. Pretty happy with how the Bobcats looked as a team, although I was surprised Kemba didn't get more minutes since they had a game the night before, with Augustin getting a lot of minutes and Kemba not getting much in that one as well.

This Bobcats team has a lot more offensive talent than I originally thought. I assumed they were going to mostly rely on fresh legs and youth to claw out wins this year, but they won tonight because they were the flat-out better offensive team, which impressed me. Augustin really makes it flow... Diaw can carve up a defense inside and out, Henderson is an awesome shooter that can get to the rim, and Maggette is the solid veteran you need out there (althoguh can be selfish sometimes). They also pass very well and the balance is to their advantage. I never thought Henderson would be this good of an NBA player, he's the guy they need to stay hot if they want to have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs.

I think if Augustin looks as smooth the rest of the season as he has so far, he'll eventually be sought after by a playoff caliber team and Charlotte will trade him for some more pieces so they can feature Kemba. Unfortunately KWalk would be getting more minutes on pretty much any other team with a top 10 pick, but at least he has a year to learn the offense under a very solid PG.

 

[Kitaman]

You're probably right, I just think it is going to take 10-15 games for Kemba to get used to the speed of the NBA game, especially with no pre-season or training camp. IMO, the Bobcats would be better served to trade Augustine. Not just because I'm a homer, but because I feel like the Bobcats need to bottom out and rebuild, while getting the young kids some time.

Actually a nice strategy would be to showcase DJ this year, then make a trade in the off season. He is marketable.

 

[UConnMike04]

19 points last night by Kemba, career high. Only a few assists though.

 

[Gurleyman]

His assists were low, but his passing wasn't bad. He had a couple nice passes that weren't converted (Boyombo blew two at the rim). He also broke down the D and found Diaw wide open late, and Diaw didn't shoot - found Tyrus Thomas for a dunk instead, but it all started with Kemba. He also played off the ball almost the whole 4th with DJ Augustin taking over the point.

 

[UConnSwag11]

yeah a lot of missed shots on nice dishes by kemba... anyone going monday to the game?