Dame vs Steph

To answer the question, Dame right now is the best PG rn and better than Steph (because Stephiwas injured), but prime curry is still undoubtedly better than prime Dame. But Dame is nuts, I think he's even better than Harden rn too. I think the thing with Dame is that he takes slightly too many bad shots, and Steph doesn't shoot enough of the bad shots Dame was taking (Toronto series). But the thing about Dame's half court shots is the demoralising aspect of it, but the give and take is that they are very diffcult and it takes a lot of energy. Dame does shoot extremely well despite all the bad shots.

Pirate Ramsay

Nba fans are so reactionary in their opinions on players and teams. They have a big game they get blown up, and all of a sudden they are the best. At least that is what it feels like in this social media era.

Kevin Vestergaard

There is some chicken or egg stuff with Steph and the Warriors. But you put perfectly! There is also something maybe innately admirable about a great floor raiser like Dame or a Russ that maybe boosts their appeal to general NBA fans.

Athletic Alchemy

It’s like you said Alch, floor raises versus ceiling raisers. Dame such a weapon, he can carry such an offensive load that he raises the floor and drags his team into the playoffs but the system Steph creates is what raises the ceiling for the rest of his teammates, elevating them to champions. Strength in Numbers is more than just filling a roster, it’s how everyone steps up and elevates their play. We’ve seen enough decent role players (and star players) on opposing teams falter when it matters most and it’s not just as simple as Warriors had better players. I’d agree Steph has had better teammates than Dame but there is a reason guys like Durant or the Blurr or Ig wanted to come play ball in Golden State, they liked the system that is Steph. And there’s also a reason GS can turn around a guy like JaVale’s career and get the best out of guys like Mo Buckets

Kyle Walker

I neglected shot selection! Your exactly right.. too me Stephs is way better. Regardless of why. I bet CJ would agree 😀

Athletic Alchemy

🤜🏽

Athletic Alchemy

I Appreciate your presence and takes around Tao 🙏🏽

Athletic Alchemy

I think his rout to an MVP would be a 1 seed in the west. I’m sure he’d settle for a Finals MVP tho

Athletic Alchemy

I feel like his % is a little misleading.. but that brings us to shot selection. And I should have brought that up.

Athletic Alchemy

Welcome back man! 🙏🏽

Athletic Alchemy

Alc I caught this one on YouTube and realized I needed to get back on your Patreon. I value your insights, man.

Paul Cox

I believe that Curry for years has been one of, if the best finishers in the restricted area for all guards. Dame is strong but Curry has finished much better, and doesn't get blocked as much as you would expect.

Pirate Ramsay

Yeah, it's probably Steph losing some of his recklessness and stubbornness during the KD-era. He'll still pull a 35 footer in Denver every now and again, but Dame's shot selection is still wild (eventhough it's all relative compared to the shots Steph took in 2016, let alone the shots Steph took in 2013).

William Mitchell

Man youre crushing all these. Year by year Dame keeps forcing people to recognize. Do you think he eventually reaches legit MVP talks at the rate hes going? imo hes already been a contender, but obviously in todays media world, he needs more in stats and of course wins to get anywhere

DJ

To be fair Portland didn't have a center either, it was the real reason Draymond looked like a monster

Paradox

Dame takes shots that Curry is skilled enough to take but is too ashamed to take, out of looking selfish. I agree 100% with everything you said. Although when we look at prime Curry, he led the league in layup% among guards at atound 70% in 2016 which is LeBron-esque numbers (minus the fact that LeBron is using ahoulder dips and elbow extension to create free points). Apparently had higher *contested* FG% than Kyrie at the rim for multiple seasons. I enjoy seeing Damian though, he has satisifed some of my Curry craving and I am hoping they kick the Lakers out of the playoffs.

Paradox

Warriors fan here but I love all your work Alch. Like others have said, this is better than all the mainstream Bball commentary on ESPN or otherwise. Insightful and honest. I don’t think there was any disrespect towards Steph in your analysis of his game. Winning is everything and he’s certainly done that

Tao Rodriguez-Seeger

Appreciate the realness as always.

John Z

I think the sweep by the KD-less Warriors in Portland is one of the most underrated events in recent history. They essentially didn’t have a true 5 outside of Boget playing spot minutes (who is no longer in league), Looney banged up and never really playing the 5, Iggy’s jumper all but disappearing, Livingston looking absolutely washed, and the only other two getting minutes off the bench being Quinny and Alfonzo Mckinnie two guys who can barely buy minutes on their current rosters. Portland had leads in 3 of those games into the 3rd quarters But couldn’t close a single one. I can’t comprehend how that series doesn’t cement the narrative in stone, at least when it comes to careers. Dame is nonexistent off ball, and that choice, it’s has helped create a separation between one of the best point guards in the league in Lillard, and one of the best point guards ever, in Chef Curry.

Stevie Ray

Haha.. so calling him the greatest pg of this era and a system with in himself is underrating him.. I give up!

Athletic Alchemy

Appreciate it! You should be Able to find NBA NOW on all the podcast platforms

Athletic Alchemy

TBH that is way too hard to project.. if they get to have workouts before the draft. Then I can have an idea of who they are looking at.

Athletic Alchemy

No matter how I feel about your in my opinion ludicrous and underwhelming Steph curry takes, can't deny that you're still the best NBA YouTuber out there Alc. Keep up the good work. Maybe just stay away from the Steph curry talks a little because your bias and bent towards underrating him always takes centre stage ha.

Joshua Fayemi

Great video. Could you do a video on who the warriors might draft with there 2nd round picks if they keep them?

Adam Burns

Insightful as always man definitely backing you as a content maker. I'm having problems with accessing spotify stuff but I think it might the area I live in but still much love and support bro.

Well said... I actually like watching Steph with the ball more. But Dame is just more willing to put his head down and make it happen regardless.

Athletic Alchemy

I think CJ is more efficient and more willing to play as a #2.. what hurt Monta was never really developing a 3 ball. But we could play this game with everyone right? Kobe Shaq, Jordan Pippen.. if you don’t find the right match it’s going to change all these guys careers.

Athletic Alchemy

💪🏽

Athletic Alchemy

I didn't even know Dame was that long......he doesn't wear it because he is so stocky.

Athletic Alchemy

Dame is clearly the 2nd best PG in the game today and has been the best PG this year since Steph has missed so many games. I think that you touched on it a bit. Dame is more flashy and more appealing to the eye test, with him driving and seeking out contact more as well as their own brand of leadership. Steph just manages to beat out Dame on most of the numbers. From who makes more shots at the rim, to shooting overall, to their playoff matchups, and even their play styles, Steph just manages to squeeze out more success by a considerable margin. That said, if anyone was to have a 2011 Dirk esque run, it would probably be Dame.

William Mitchell

working at it! Most things being time sensitive its always a compromise

Athletic Alchemy

Dame's nature is to attack regardless, its lead to these crazy performances. but its also been his downfall ..that extra beat he holds on to the ball on a hard trap hurts him, where with steph there is no beat he moves it and relocates. Dame also spends more energy finishing and drawing fouls. But yeah I think genetically speaking too..Dame is more quick twitch for bursts and Steph is more of an endurance athlete

Athletic Alchemy

Someone on Twitter said that warriors wouldve been in the same situation as the blazers if they never traded Monte Ellis. Do you see any comparisons between the two backcourts of CJ Dame and Steph Monte if that trade never went through?

Gunners4life

We got Gordon Ramsey til Death

Eric Edelmann

Haven't been here in a hot min but love this vid and analysis bro. Dame is great but whenever someone says you can replace Steph with Dame on Dubs and get the same results, I find it hella disrespectful to Steph. With Dame, I know he has a 6'8 wingspan (compared to Steph's 6'3 wingspan) so I figure that's why he can finish well above the rim. I also feel if he didn't have to carry the offensive load, he can be an elite defender as guys like PBev and Avery also have 6'8 wingspans. As you mentioned, Steph's gravity, off-ball skills and unselfishness makes and keeps the Warriors engine running.

Steph and Dame both became men no one expected and everyone doubted they would be. They both adapted to the size of their opportunities with the necessary discipline. So hell yes expand! The whole patreon is obviously with it.

Eric Edelmann

I decided to support you on patreon for your basketball mind and attention to detail, Don't matter if its warriors related or not. I do think you need more flashy thumbnails on youtube tho to get them views.

Adv

This may be one of your best breakdowns ever, to-the-point and so on point. Haven't heard a better explanation from any of the media heads of why Steph is in his own tier vs all the other point guards in the league. That said, why do you think Dame maybe doesn't have the stamina Steph has in the playoffs? Is it bc his iso style is more tiring? I have to imagine Steph running around all those screens takes a toll too. Maybe Steph just puts more work in on the endurance. And obviously Steph's had a better team to get through the grind of the playoffs, we have to acknowledge that. It just seems like Dame can kill any team in the league, but just hits a block whenever he faces Steph and the Warriors. Again this is coming from a huge Warriors fan and a fan of both these guys. But yeah to start a team I don't think it's even a question we rockin with the Chef. By the way I enjoy your NBA content just as much as the Dubs content, especially the pod. When I'm driving or working out would much rather have you on as opposed to ESPN, Skip and Shannon, or even The Athletic which is pretty quality.

Luke Zhang

🙏🏽 Tre you been here strong!

Athletic Alchemy

I appreciate it kai!

Athletic Alchemy

Thank you Tony!

Athletic Alchemy

right..lol I didn't want to lean on that too much with the argument Steph has had much better teams .

Athletic Alchemy

I initially came to your channel for warriors content but your commentaries are so informative and entertaining it doesn’t matter what you cover. I’m checking it out. Good content is good content big dawg.

You know we riding till the wheels fall off Alc!

Tre

A good number of us are here not just because we are Warriors fans (even though we are definitely Warriors fans lol) but because of your personality, on point comments, and some of that Alchemy humor that you can't get anywhere else. The breakdowns are excellent and focus on things that even non hoopers like me can understand. You've even gotten me to pick up the ball to shoot hoops in the past year or two. It's that love of the sport and your craft that makes this channel and patreon awesome. Keep up the great work!

Tony H

Plus Steph is 10-0 against dame in the playoffs lol

Noah