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?
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 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.
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.
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.