Thursday, November 15, 2012

Kemba, Cam going in separate directions in Year 2

Charlotte guard Kemba Walker used a wicked crossover move to get open for a 19-footer Wednesday night, then swished it to win the Bobcats their third straight game, 89-87, on the road over Minnesota.

The Bobcats are now 4-3. The other young star in Charlotte -- Carolina's Cam Newton -- quarterbacks a team that is 2-7.

It's interesting how Kemba and Cam have gone in two separate directions in Year 2. They were very different in Year 1 -- Cam was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year and had what I still consider the best rookie year by any player ever (Lawrence Taylor would have an argument, few others would).

Kemba, meanwhile, was shooting a nasty 36.6 percent for the 7-59 Bobcats. So he was at rock bottom and Cam was high on the mountain in Year One in Charlotte. In some ways, it is natural they have both moved toward each other in Year Two.

Now Kemba has far more help than he did a year ago. Cam has less (have you checked out his offensive line lately?) Kemba has more confidence. Cam has less. Kemba is making the big shots he mostly missed a season ago. Cam just isn't quite getting it done, especially in the fourth quarters of games.

Cam can still be great -- although right now he's an average NFL quarterback, as I wrote earlier this week. The cool thing, though, is that Kemba now looks like he can be great, too. And if both these young players stick around Charlotte for the next 5-10 years, it will be very interesting to watch their development.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Most ridiculous comparison ever. Apple oranges. Hard to fathom Scott gets a paycheck to think this stuff up

panfan1 said...

Scott! Actaully the last shot didn't swish through! It got a little back iron! But none the less; I'll take it however the shot falls! So good to see the Bobcats winning!! Awesome............!!!

Willupostthisone? said...

2-7 with a QB rating umnder 80 is NOT average, no matter how many times you mutter it.

Congrats to Kemba, he is a class act. Cam??? Who cares.

Anonymous said...

Let's stop with these comparsions. Cam has made his mistakes and is far from perfect but has been setup with a lame duck coaching stuff and absent offensive line. Both have a long way to go.

Matt Privett said...

Gotta love what you're seeing from Kemba and the Bobcats. Here's hoping Cam and the Panthers can get moving in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

You still consider being rated 28 out of 33 average? Your alma mater must be proud!

Anonymous said...

Kemba is the future of sports in the city and Cam is a one year wonder. Goodbye Cam, this is Kemba City!!

Anonymous said...

If Cam Newton were a stock, I would be shorting it. If there were a decent qb prospect in 2013 draft I wish the Panthers would take it with a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Cam better spend the off-season learning his craft this time and put his superman costume in the closet because he is not at Auburn anymore.