How Curry makes it easy for Durant

Kevin Durant won Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018, and is hot once again in the 2019 playoffs. But just how much does Stephen Curry help Durant? How does Curry's gravity change Durant's stats in the postseason? This detailed film breakdown & scouting report examine the ways that Curry affects defenses for Durant while incorporating analytics & stats to measure those changes.
For a broader perspective of how Golden State's motion is built around Steph & Klay Thompson: • Order vs. Chaos & the ...
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Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental)

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Lots of you asking about the playoffs - my latest podcast was with 538's Neil Paine on the philosophical battle between Houston and Golden State along with some Philly-Toronto thoughts: player.fm/series/thinking-basketball/ep-16-neil-paine-on-the-battle-for-basketballs-soul Hardcore stat that didn't make the video that syncs up with the film: According to Second Spectrum's shot quality metric, Durant's eFG% in the 2016 PS was 44.6% and in the 2017 PS spiked to 48.4%.

[@lusomsnapchat47]

What I am getting from these video is that KD Is basic player without curry? ?

[@loganc2380]

@@lusomsnapchat47 it seems more that Curry complements KD just bc of the offball pressure he creates, and only serves to show how important it is to have at least another all-star on the court

[@joshliggins2260]

He went from 46 eFG to 62rG

[@guji369]

luka UMG This video keeps brining efficiency numbers but statwise kd were as efficient if not more when okc had harden. Kd just needed better support than westbrook to provide those stats.

[@eekobe88reganit36]

Can u do a video about max telling kawhi is better than kobe in crunch time or pressure situation i want to hear ur opinion about this

[@gideoncheung8731]

This aged masterfully.

[@alanduong9428]

kd a bus rider confirmed

[@m3ga975]

@@alanduong9428 Nothing but facts

[@jomuski6591]

tag KD at your risk

[@charlesfowler4308]

@@alanduong9428 not really just shows Curry is an awesome bus turbocharger

[@ewjiml]

@@alanduong9428 hahahahah. He sure ain’t driving.

[@justinhunt5492]

Steph curry is golden state’s most valuable player

[@ragzy02]

Absolutely no doubt about it. The sheer fact of Steph being ON THE COURT opens everything up for the other guys.

[@anthonyciaccia200]

This series he’s Houston’s MVP

[@ragzy02]

Griffin Did you watch the video? Lol

[@yvans.]

Ragzy obviously he didn’t 😂😂

[@deandrepage1048]

Bullshit, no Finals MVP Awards to prove it too

[@mruv5944]

Steph Curry is hands down the most unselfish superstar

[@Ali-zd4sz]

fax dude started playing offball for the betterment of the team

[@toutestvanite350]

Jokic is up there too

[@AmaRippin]

@@toutestvanite350 yeah but Jokic isn't a back 2 back unanimous MVP hence the word Superstar not All Star there's a big difference

[@toutestvanite350]

@@AmaRippin fair enough

[@selfconscience]

Amen to that

[@Trump_20-24_YEARS_in_PRISON]

Steph is like a team buff. Hit rating +10 for everyone when he's on the floor.

[@maiinganindoodem5096]

He got that floor general badge

[@wallstreetzoomer]

Curry needs a gravity badge in which defenders will all look and glue to him.

[@kuyaplaysanything1561]

Sounds like Akashi in zone

[@AP-gb3pq]

@@kuyaplaysanything1561 Yeah, it helps to get all your teammates into the zone when they're all "Crowned Kings" lol

[@lebronjames5287]

@@AP-gb3pq sorry i had to but its the "uncrowned kings" not the "crowned kings" haha

[@jamesbenedict7516]

This is frustrating just because a lot of blokes says that curry is the one who chokes when the defense literally chokes him with double teams

[@aristotlejones2469]

Same thing goes with Harden yet he gets labeled choker. They'll have to figure out how to overcome this.

[@TheNamesDitto]

EXACTLY. When I argue with people who say that KD is the one winning for GS, they don't know that KD is really just benefiting from all the space and gravity Curry (and Klay to a lesser degree) commands.

[@mikes.7545]

@@TheNamesDitto dont be sleeping on klay now.

[@mrslick58]

@@mikes.7545 I got sleepy watching him play last night

[@okeythegoat2332]

HGC 4E 💯💯💯🎯

[@zadockmughalu2280]

You just proved that NBA media doesn't know ball. Thank you for such a great content. Durant got swept and still doesn't acknowledge the effect Curry's gravity had on his post season runs.

[@TheOnlyWayYeshua]

So true

[@mithunanilangainathan8103]

If he did acknowledge it, that would diminish his own greatness, which he obviously doesn't want to do lmao.

[@Thanosdidtherighthing]

@@mithunanilangainathan8103 🌝Except in all 3 playoff runs KD averaged more points than Steph on better efficiency while playing better defense and averaging more rebounds….. I guess we’ll just post hoc justify Curry being t better because he had the best defensive in the league backing him meanwhile KD played on a nets team where their big 3 played a total of 16 games together and after the trade line, their perennial all star and DPOY candidate Ben Simmons didn’t play.

[@ANDROdarma337]

@@Thanosdidtherighthing no curry no ring baby

[@friendsfrenz1944]

@@Thanosdidtherighthing lmao...they literally have 2 stars there in Brooklyn KD got swept and caught ball watching in game 1 GS have 3 rookies as key pieces 1 slow unathletic center and a 29 yr old undrafted player

[@kxng_jordxn]

I appreciate the way that you break down some of the more controversial topics in the NBA with knowledge and no detected bias, keep up the good work!!

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Appreciate that - thanks. Nice handle. :)

[@orjacob9983]

Curry is the most guarded point guard ever, just from his presence on the court there are 3 guys looking at him all the time.. it's amazing

[@imawarrior3516]

The most guarded player in the league 😂

[@isaacdebeila8085]

when you watch games and such videos you notice at least 3-4 players watch what curry is doing so hey doesn't catch them off, the only guy not looking being the guy who is guarding the on ball players

[@jjsjrs997]

He’s the most guarded pg in the league yet he’s still able to put up crazy high numbers

[@jean_marcm9663]

Jayke_01 Mc Ofcs because he doesn’t play like a pg he runs around like he’s a wing player but still manages to get shots up that he creates. James harden is really close, same with Lebron and Giannis

[@Thanosdidtherighthing]

Who got those back to back finals mvps ?

[@hydero555]

Man I hope people see this now for what it is: Durant was never better than Steph. He lacks an all-around offensive game in terms of passing/IQ when defences play him like Boston just did. He was double-teamed today and he literally looked dumbfounded as to what to do in this situation. Meanwhile, Steph deals with this like a daily routine. Give Steph those damn MVPs

[@calebmurphy1361]

Amen, but after andre somehow winning it, no one should ever have expected him to win one over KD, the league don't want it. Gonna be interesting how the finals plays out and who they end up trying to give it to. Wiggins, Looney, Poole, Dray, Klay are all fair game, and if GP2 comes back healthy and clamps Butler or Tatum, fuck it, NBA will choose to randomly recognize a role player's good defense again instead of the perennial offensive engine who's still putting up numbers with unprecedented defensive attention

[@jamarreid1082]

@@calebmurphy1361 exactly, it's absolutely frustrating to watch. We will probably never see the best player on a team average 26,6,5 in a NBA finals and not win the MVP again. Steph is a victim of lebron's league basically. They didn't want him challenging LeBron for face of the league.

[@LilBoSkeetE85]

💯 not even close

[@jordancheesebourough6145]

Draymond litterally juss said it too Kd has it easy while Steph is gettin doubled

[@davidl5119]

@@jamarreid1082 I think it’s more that they are used to seeing guys score 30+ on piss poor efficiency. That’s why guys like harden and westbrook Chuck up shots like crazy, miss more than half and still get praised for a triple double with 10 TO. It’s become a stat league. It takes effort to breakdown games like this dude here. It takes nothing to check your phone for raw stats. Stats, like “facts” (more like a finding), without context are meaningless.

[@Iloveragatha]

After 3 years, this analysis is still really undeniable. I dont care if haters never really appreciate Curry but for me, he is top 10 all time. He is not really just a great player, but his greatness bleeds thru his teammates and provides better chance of team success

[@Pyronek]

Just a question not about curry but when people put wilt or Bill Russell at 8 /9 why aren't they at one because wilt is the goat by the logic that he's even ten I don't think wilt is even 100 tho

[@caucandyellow]

Black holes don't have the strongest gravitational pull in the universe. Steph Curry has it. Once defenses go past his event horizon there's no coming back.

[@hanuragreddy1569]

Damn boy, look at curry man so GRAVITATIONAL

[@skynyrdjesus]

I don't know, it's hard to imagine any human that could guard a black hole, even on a set defense. Dennis Rodman probably could, but I don't know about anyone else. Now I just wanna see Gobert try to guard a black hole

[@savant178]

My science teacher: "Larger mass means a stronger gravitational pull, so bigger objects have stronger gra-" Curry: "Hold my 6'3 190 pounds"

[@auotukun872]

alright smartass lol ;) Curry is more dense lol

[@dapoopoomeh3735]

You just called curry dumb

[@wacastillo3006]

Bruh 6 ft 3 is pretty big. Tyson was 6ft and he was the heavyweight champ

[@gugi4477]

@@savant178 Agree

[@utryping]

@@wacastillo3006 tyson was 5'10

[@jona.scholt4362]

As strange as it may seem, I still feel Curry is criminally underrated and when we talk about all time players his name should be mentioned as a top 10 player

[@subswithoutvids-dw6dv]

After his retirement I think he will. As well as KD. At least top15. Klay will be top 50 because he never lead a team. Now you can see how unfair when other teams face the Warriors, a super team plus a super scorer. This team is like 96 Bulls with Larry Bird or Dirk.

[@jona.scholt4362]

@@subswithoutvids-dw6dv Hmmm, I don't know about Klay being a top 50 all time when he hasn't even made All-NBA third team in any of his seasons. I do think, and j think you'd agree with this, that Klay is definitely one of the best shooters of all time. I think Curry could be top 10-15 when he hangs up his sneakers. KD however I'm not quite as sold on as a top 15 all time. For example, I think I'd take Peak Dirk vs Peak KD, I don't know if many would agree but that's what I think. I think KD probably ends up top 25-30 all time but lots can still happen. This is why I love the NBA, always interesting figuring out where players fit on the pyramid!

[@subswithoutvids-dw6dv]

@@jona.scholt4362 Maybe he will, of he join other team, and start to be a team leader. Just like Harden did.

[@jona.scholt4362]

@@subswithoutvids-dw6dv I agree, it would be very very interesting to see these players without each other. How well would Klay do without Steph as a threat? How would Steph do with Draymond helping give looks and do the dirty work? And KD? I think we'll see how he does without these guys when he leaves those summer, which j think is likely. A KD-Kyrie hook up? We'll see. Sad the season is almost over. But at least we have FA speculation and the draft this summer!

[@subswithoutvids-dw6dv]

@@jona.scholt4362 It proves that fans love super teams, they don't care about how many teams in the leagues. The Americans might care about their teams in the cities. But we international fans don't even care about it, young fans only want to see those superstars compete each other. They don't care about teams. As I know when GSW raised, many young people suddenly became Warrior's fans. Before that nobody cares them.

[@oskarnogalski8178]

Here revisiting the vid 4 (almost 5) years into the future. This analysis aged like fine wine. Thinking Basketball with the GOAT basketball content.

[@FilipCordas]

Man I have been talking about this ever since he got to GS.

[@TheNamesDitto]

Same. KD is just a lot more open with Curry in the floor

[@yvans.]

TheNamesDitto that’s why for me KD is not the best player of the league. If you put Lebron, Kawhi, Harden, Giannis they will be also unstoppable.

[@juju-vl7oj]

Same ,I thought it was common sense, that individually he's not gonna have as high a degree of difficulty when defenses can't even double him like they do other stars. He may be playing the best arguably but it's like a video game but he's doing it on an easier level. He's still great but it's less impressive.

[@b1walker]

Oh he's a lot more open because people have to account for the greatest shooter to live? Gee. He's also a lot more open to quitting when things get tough@@TheNamesDitto

[@JF-ns5zs]

Yvans Lebron would average 15 assists/game on GSW with so many shooters

[@bplewis24]

This video has aged very well. Steph finally getting his due after winning his second championship without KD, and his first finals MVP (although arguably it should be his second, and probably even 3rd since he was the best player in 3 out of 4 games in the 2018 finals).

[@TaybeenTrill248]

He Definitely should be a 2xFMVP

[@sam.0021]

curry can be 0-10 and still be the best player on the court. his gravity is unheard of

[@TheRafaelBond]

well, no, not quite.. but he is doing good stuff besides shooting

[@TheNamesDitto]

Curry can be 0-10 and I'm still scared of him shooting

[@yvans.]

Rafael Mertin bro you didn’t understand his point 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@wallstreetzoomer]

@@TheRafaelBond And that's why he is the best player.

[@precisism1804]

Facts. If there was a “gravity” statistic, Steph would surely lead the league in it every year, and probably be regarded as the best player in the league.

[@bobbylight111]

'complex decision-making has never been his forte' savage

[@kyrie4451]

Shots fired.

[@nuketurnal2]

curry's gravity is underrated because it's not seen on the boxscores where the so called analysts base their observations from. not only he makes durant better, but to everyone. most of draymond's assist came from curry's hockey assist, but again you dont see that on the statsheet

[@swaggy3987]

I love how people talking about "best player" never seem to consider things like running the offense, passing, decision making, basketball IQ, getting teammates involved...

[@TheNamesDitto]

I really appreciate this content. I've been telling KD fans this ever since he moved to Golden State. KD didn't really get better. He just got open.

[@basedcelery]

Well thank God we finally got to see KD take open shots for once. Maybe why he left bum ass OKC?

[@wulvershon8948]

Based Celery W

[@zendo09]

Kd didn't had double team and the defense didn't focus on him

[@angelsintahoe]

His defense got better...makes him a better all around player...than before.

[@chrisringer5778]

He a better passer and better defender

[@skinzundeniable]

KD I KNOW you in these comments 👀

[@MrDiMES123]

Skinz no I’m not .. ooops

[@skbwolverine]

😂

[@geordiejones5618]

KD better watch this so he knows just how much harder getting baskets will be without having a guard who attracts the attention of the entire defense. No one else even comes close, Kyrie is not gonna have 10 eyes on him.

[@basketballgenesis8969]

This isnt a knock him tho lol

[@precisism1804]

YES. All the ignorant Steph haters NEED to see this video, and realize that there’s more to basketball than numbers. Steph can go 0/10 and he’ll still have an impact due to the gravity of his presence. Great video.

[@derek7762]

dawg, this video is literally all about numbers

[@precisism1804]

Bokononist My point is that there’s more to your impact than just you basic stats. This stuff doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

[@newyork1975ful]

@@derek7762 This video is about empirical tape

[@Oppenheimer1967]

@@precisism1804 🤔Serious question…. If kd outscored Steph on better efficiency while playing better defense in all 3 of their playoff runs together……how is Curry more valuable ?

[@Oppenheimer1967]

@@newyork1975ful .. 🤔Serious question…. If kd outscored Steph on better efficiency while playing better defense in all 3 of their playoff runs together……how is Curry more valuable ?

[@patsysadowski1546]

This is more insightful than ESPN combined. Smart video.

[@zaeglo8228]

No doubt

[@MrE_]

People just assume that the warriors are better with curry on the floor, but dont know why. Thank you for clearly explaining the impact!

[@panagiotisgrigoriadis7981]

YES! THANK YOU! Not to mention that he doesn’t have to create for others and how relaxed he can always be since he is surrounded by amazing defenders (iggy, green, Thompson).

[@mamaj03]

KD wont appreciate it until after he leaves and falls on his face trying to replicate it with a different squad. And in the meantime, Warriors wont miss a beat #strengthinnumbers #dubnation #rollingwithsteph

[@hanuragreddy1569]

@@mamaj03 So true

[@Nandoswitharando]

@@mamaj03 damn you called it

[@VictorFPoB]

This is exactly why I still don't think he's the best player in the world. People can't even fathom Curry's value as the GOAT shooter. That coupled with the fact that people seem to think offense just means scoring. It's addressed in the video, but KD doesn't have great basketball IQ. It's decent, but not great and his playmaking is solid at best. He can score, but he can't run an offense.

[@langstongalloway8966]

“Playmaking solid at best” he averaged like 5 assists this year and averages around 3-6 every year

[@yvans.]

No everybody can pass like Lebron, Magic or Bird so I think that’s not fair. But I’m agree with you that the presence of curry help KD to have more space. It’s almost impossible to double team him anymore because of the presence of The splash brothers who spread the floor. That’s why I don’t consider him the best player in the league so he need to go in other franchise to prove to everybody quote on quote “Who he is”

[@okeythegoat2332]

All facts 😊

[@okeythegoat2332]

Langston Galloway He can pass but running an offense is slightly different fam. He is not elite in that

[@VictorFPoB]

@@langstongalloway8966 I didn't say he couldn't pass, did I? Did I say he was trash at it? You're literally bringing up the definition of "solid" assist statistics.

[@jaytierney]

This video is very relevant this week. Someone should send it to KD.

[@paybsix1010]

casuals will never understand this and just focus on stats

[@thatwage]

They’re being purposely ignorant because they don’t want to acknowledge Curry

[@Bedrews]

That one against the clippers where everyone was looking at steph leaving durant completely wide open is insane

[@wesleygreen5594]

This is the best basketball youtuber

[@davidogundare5146]

Steph’s gravity has always been insane

[@dayofayanju9021]

6:35 "all stats need context" glad it's being said aloud succinctly

[@j_merc]

Damn, as much as I hate Curry and the Warriors. Steph is the probably the most unselfish NBA superstar ever. He knew that he would still be good and contribute to the team's success despite sharing the spotlight with another 30 point scorer.

[@exa0247]

This is gold, it's obvious that Kd needs Curry and he's nothing without him

[@Thanosdidtherighthing]

Won 4 scoring titles in Okc and went to the Finals. . Never played on a healthy team in Brooklyn. Try again lol

[@rapereggae7961]

@@Thanosdidtherighthing KD finna finish his carrer as an underachiever and way worse than everybody expected unfortunately.

[@imthatguy.6984]

@@Thanosdidtherighthing flexing scoring titles💀 did Brooklyn not have a healthy team when they got spanked by Boston?

[@Thanosdidtherighthing]

@@imthatguy.6984 I got two words for you: Ben Simmons

[@ff55tfc]

@@Thanosdidtherighthing but can't win, curry wins alot

[@SLiCeDx]

Curry wins this 2022 chip with a FMVP, which he will, this video ganna blow up.

[@bobbresnahan8397]

I suspected as much, but the numbers, of those numbers, speak volumes. If Durant leaves, the Warriors will land another great talent for the simple reason that any top NBA-er with a head on his shoulders will drool at the prospect of playing alongside Steph.

[@redelijah2smith655]

The basketball world needs to see this video.

[@judahmourneth1466]

Real basketball head who watched the KD/Curry’s warriors knew they trapped curry and klay and allowed KD to work.

[@redelijah2smith655]

@@judahmourneth1466 Yeah and the whole world thinks KD better lol.

[@judahmourneth1466]

@@redelijah2smith655 of course, 2016 WCF showed that.

[@Oppenheimer1967]

@@judahmourneth1466 🤔Serious question…. If kd outscored Steph on better efficiency while playing better defense in all 3 of their playoff runs together……how is Curry more valuable ?

[@judahmourneth1466]

@@Oppenheimer1967 because he beat him already and joined his team. He deferred his game so kd can flourish.

[@gunjanpatel3022]

Steph is the bus driver on GSW and always has been. KD just hopped on the bus for a couple of trips.

[@Jaychilled]

The games been easier for durant on both sides of the ball

[@greatomeister675]

This is why LeBron will always be better than KD.

[@SaltoDaKid]

@D D Thank you

[@Jaychilled]

@D D especially on defense, he goes to the warriors and all of a sudden people are giving him dpoy nods like he isnt benefiting off the system they play in. Its especially annoying when people saying lebron doesnt play any defense and upload his one play where someone beats him on d and It goes viral but people blow by kd every single time but he has players that rotate and do what their suppose to do on D

[@Alic4444]

@@Jaychilled Lebron actually has taken a lot of time off on defense for years now, and even in the playoffs he's clearly missed a bunch of assignments in important games recently. But I agree that Lebron would be better with a better defensive system around him, for sure. And that Lebron is probably capable of playing in a high communication switching defense like what the warriors, rockets, and some other teams do.

[@Xanninja]

@@Alic4444 42,000 minutes

[@Floyd_Steel]

I mean he did play in OKC for 9 years with his best shooters being Dion waiters and Thabo seflosha 😂 I can see why Golden state would be enticing.

[@FoSho949]

I can’t believe how quick warrior fans turned on steph. Curry is the mvp of this dynasty 💯💯

[@iiDetour]

if people did not know this already about KD then i have no idea what people are thinking. im an okc fan and watching KD in GSW is amazing. amazing at what looks KD gets to have that he never had in OKC. i never see doubles teams for durant in gsw and in okc he probably got double team before having the ball even come to him.

[@FoSho949]

johnDomain kd left because he’s insecure and cant handle criticism. He never beat steph how are fans supposed to like him more?😂

[@myleekbarkus9933]

@@FoSho949 steph just got his lunch taken by Fred Vanvleet in the finals.

[@FoSho949]

Myleek Barkus boy.. Just stop 😂😂 dude got triple teamed and dropped 47 on his oval ass head

[@myleekbarkus9933]

@@FoSho949 yeah and then the stats came out and it turns out Curry was only scoring well when they were down by 15+ points that game. The second the gap closed within 10 he turned into a brick machine. He shot under 40% FOR THE SERIES when the gap between both teams was single digits. So, no, he was not dominating. He was putting up empty numbers

[@MrLakerfan2490]

So, in a nutshell, Steph is their MVP because he allows KD to look like their MVP?! :P

[@paccawacca4069]

Yes.

[@jevsan9782]

He elevates people, such inspiration

[@DDazzle1]

This is a gentle reminder that Kawhi is doing pretty much what KD is doing and without a Steph Curry.

[@where3639]

Curry was doing it without KD aswell. I think if KD leaves this summer, we'll get to see 15-16 prime Curry back in action. He'll be my mvp pick if that happens.

[@DDazzle1]

@@where3639 I'm not sure. His body seems really banged up to me. I hope we see that Steph again but right now we only see it in flashes.

[@wallstreetzoomer]

@@DDazzle1 Yea, hoping for a one last healthy season. He was relatively healthy from 2015-17 and even his two MCL sprain are accidents due to wet floor and Mcgee dumbass.

[@alexandreschmitt7006]

@@wallstreetzoomer I think Curry has the potential to remain healthy. It's not like he has had a major injury yet. I don't see him carrying the team and playing 80 games per regular season like he used to but I think he'll remind people what he's capable of without KD next year.

[@stevenwhiters8928]

Lol raptors run good as offense warriors obviously have better players

[@matheusbarreto7281]

One of the greatest videos ever

[@Van_ax]

It’s a propaganda based video lol. None of it is true

[@willmael7914]

@@Van_ax nah fam present your argument. Don't just say the other opinion is wrong and refuse to say anything else like a boomer

[@jayanthan4882]

Regardless of what people say he ended up with 3 chips and 5 finals(3 without kd). The sport rewards people who play the right way, people don't

[@dexterdog1659]

4 now

[@sakhile6460]

this man gave evidence as to why Durant needs Curry to win a chip

[@MrDiMES123]

So in a nutshell ... KD doesn’t have to deal with a 2nd line of defense unlike other stars 🤔

[@TheTEN24]

This is exactly what the average fan doesn’t realize, amazing video. This is why i think Kawahi is the best player in the league

[@cjstanky]

That and kawahi's defense is so good.

[@6manYT]

@@cjstanky KD is one of the best defenders in the league... casual

[@cjstanky]

@@6manYT I never said kd was a bad defender, only that I think Leonard is a better defender. Kd has the edge in scoring, kawahi has the edge on defense

[@charlietian9843]

steph curry*

[@charlietian9843]

how do you watch a video showing the impressive +/- and team win value of steph curry and conclude that an eastern iso player is better lol

[@tranquildestruction]

I love these videos. You make a single point, and expand on it with video evidence and statistics that flow nicely. Subbed for life.

[@ZanosuMangustas]

And thats why what Klaw doing is more impressive in these playoffs.

[@derek7762]

@@rx4368 only if you ignore stats, track record, and popular opinion

[@Ahmedmmajid]

Prince 1_1 you just proved his point

[@thomasbrady3827]

Do u mean Kawhi or klay

[@ZanosuMangustas]

@@rx4368 Giannis is dominant player and for sure in top 3 in my opinion. But many people tend to overlook simplicity and fundamentals of the game, and if they see Giannis flashy plays people think thats GOAT even tho dunk counts for 2 points just like jump shot.

[@Yuri-tt4jo]

Klaw is the GOAT

[@RockitTv92]

Your theory was proven right. Warriors NBA champs baby

[@cupertinoish]

KD and Curry are two of the few elite players who can catch and shoot just as well as creating their own shots. It's shocking most of the so called "super stars" can't catch and shoot. That's why I doubt KD teaming up with Kyrie in New York is a wise decision. Sure, KD can still do well without the ball, but would he be okay to watch Kyrie dribbling around all the time?

[@daviddokes3634]

Kyrie can shoot the ball at least, but your right it works because Steph has nothing left to prove and all about winning

[@snekid.]

David Dokes Steph still has something to prove FINALS mvp so people cab shut up about being a finals letdown

[@The_Jazziest_Coffee]

my god this aged perfectly

[@noahjones3769]

Even LeBron deferred to prioritize guarding Curry more than Durant (not to say that KD isn't a great scorer). And considering that even LeBron himself when asked who he would want to play with and he chose Curry over KD just shows how players and defenses respect Curry's game by a marginal difference more than KD. Also, other than drawing away defenders to make KD's shots easier, he also had a PG would could actually playmake unlike Russ. Damn this hits different since the Warriors beat the Celtics and Curry got FMVP against that swept KD and Kyrie and made their lives hell.

[@matthewandrews1789]

That fact that you said Russ can’t play make is shows you don’t know ball

[@tomtaylor9913]

Dude your videos are absolutely brilliant as someone who's just started watching more basketball you really help me gain a deeper understanding of the game.

[@hanuragreddy1569]

Look at curry man so GRAVITATIONAL

[@chosengod8875]

Lmao💀

[@hanuragreddy1569]

@@chosengod8875 why you laughing at truth bitch

[@VandalCabbage]

Great breadown! KD is still a top player in the league and a certified bucket getter, but the notion that he is the single best player in the league is blown out of proportion. He has one of the greatest backcourts in NBA history by his side.

[@mambamentality3141]

💪🔥Chef just different.

[@KleinpeterHank]

This video has aged like the finest of wine after the 2022 finals.

[@penguinguyx]

This is very relevant today.

[@Momo_Nana]

Haven't watched yet but ik this is gonna be beautiful. Can I please get a KAT video tho please

[@yassermohiuddin5896]

I agree, I think it will be very interesting to see whether he determines if KAT is a stat passer or a primary option on a championship team

[@honeyfro2615]

@@yassermohiuddin5896 Not to nitpick but do you mean stat padder? The fuck is a stat passer?

[@yassermohiuddin5896]

What I mean by a stat padder is someone who puts up good stats up but doesn’t contribute to winning

[@honeyfro2615]

@@yassermohiuddin5896 I know what a stat padder is. You wrote stat passer tho which is why i askes wtf that is lol. Forget it

[@Dreadheadezz]

I'm so glad you made this. People still underestimate curry's presence and just assume everyone is focused on KD when curry is opening a lot for Kevin that he wasn't getting in OKC

[@abdouldiop4751]

Did you watch the clippers series lmao. They put a long guard on him and then put guys in the lane to make it harder to drive. And he still averaged 40

[@sharifbrown3567]

@@abdouldiop4751 Curry >

[@parv-saini]

Man this is as true as it gets!!! None of those junk ESPN Analysts actually talk about the real impact on the game the way you did!!! I freaking love it man!! Keep up with the great work!!!🙌🏻

[@ThankMrGoose]

Your channel is awesome. Very detailed breakdowns and not concerned about stretching the video out to 10 mins for ads. Keep doing what you’re doing

[@robshin8078]

Very nice breakdown. Thanks for sharing this analysis!!

[@Haru-ic5mi]

my boy Steph with the Misdirection overflow 😂

[@psc93krp]

It s amazing how you understand the game so well. Thank you for showing us as well.

[@ff55tfc]

Watching the incredible curry along with kd was very entertaining. Kd is great but steph is on another level

[@nismokali]

KD is a phenomenal player and one of the most talented offensive players I’ve ever seen but I can’t call him the best player in the world when there’s guys like Kawhi and Giannis actually leading their teams to playoffs wins and they’re better two way players. KD joined a 73-9 team and yes it should be held against him. Imagine if Giannis, Kawhi, or Lebron had the supporting cast he has. We all knew how talented he was before he joined them which is why everyone was so mad at his decision and don’t care that he won 2 finals mvps. Put any other top 3 SF (Giannis, Kawhi, Lebron) on that team and they’ll win finals mvps too but that won’t make it impressive.

[@joshliggins2260]

LeBron Has already had the best supporting cast in the league TF r u talking about

[@milkboy2228]

True but there's a difference between winning and individual performance. Kawhi and Gianiis would win with the Warrior's and it's why KD gets his flak but KD could do work on the Raptors or the Bucks. People love to talk about KDs spacing but they ignore that he really almost doesn't even have the best spacing he just has the best teammates to win. When KDs on the floor the Warriors currently with their best lineup has 3 guys who can shoot 3s and Iggy and Draymond are inconsistent and can be slagged off. Meanwhile almost every star has 4 or even 5 shooters at nearly anytime and no one gives them the same shit. Toronto has 4 dudes around Kawhi who can space the floor with Gasol, and even Ibaka can shoot 3s. While also having guards designed to shoot 3s. (Though the Raptors bench has been trash so hes my favorite these playoffs.) Kyrie plays 5 out with 4 shooters around him with Horford so it's hard to double him. Harden runs 5 out at times literally only needing to have Tucker as the only forward and he can shoot 3s. Gianiis has near the best spacing in the league where literally everyone shoots 3s and they shoot deep 3s too. Fuckin Brook Lopez nuff said. So when we look at other stars KDs literally not the only guy who doesn't get doubled. You could even say he gets doubled more. Or suffers more from it. People label Gianis a great passer but the dude can literally get an assist any time he's even remotely doubled. This spacing shit with Curry isn't as unique.

[@nismokali]

josh liggins When did Lebron have the greatest shooter ever / 2x MVP, another top 5 shooter ever, and a former DPOY that can get a triple double when he’s playing at his best? He had a great supporting cast but they didn’t win 73 games without him before he joined.

[@joshliggins2260]

@@nismokali I didn't ask u all that Xtra bs to help u lol.i said before kd got to gs lbj had a supporting cast superior to kds prior to joining gs.before kd left lbj either had Wade/bosh and amazing bench with the original goat shooter on it.or cle with Kyrie/klove,and amazing bench.

[@joshliggins2260]

And u can say all day they would win but u don't really know ur just assuming.lbj would want the ball more than kd, Giannis too.kawhi would be the same as kd I think.

[@ralphjasoncarlos4963]

Basketball is so complicated 🤯. I just recently discovered this channel and I like all the content they uploaded. There's so much thing I don't know about basketball and this channel teach me a lot. I got my basketball interest again even though pandemic doesn't allow anyone to play outside.Still, I'm enjoying watching videos here and probably tune here regularly for uploads.

[@joshuanorden652]

I'm loving your channel so much ❤ keep up the astounding research, perfect editing, interesting topics, unique presentation, and that golden voice

[@playthatagainbruh394]

Not to be a hater but OKC didnt have shooters his last 3 yrs in OKC 17th, 23rd, 14th ranked 3pt rankings.... Presti did an awful job of surrounding him with space. The context is that OKC built its team defensively but when they matched up GSW was an elite defending team with great schemes and rotations If OKC took a page out of the Bucks playbook with roster construction this would be a non story.

[@FinessedAnalyzer]

Say that again. He was out there with a lineup of Westbrook, Roberson, Ibaka and Adams--that type of spacing for a superstar is unheard of in today's pace and space era. If they gave him the spacing that Giannis has in Milwaukee, Harden in Houston or LeBron when he had Kyrie, Korver and Love in Cleveland. For KD to have accomplished as much as he did in OKC with that type of spacing is testament to his greatness, especially considering Westbrook's playoff struggles post-KD, when KD would've killed to have a guy like Paul George to space the floor for him.

[@playthatagainbruh394]

@@FinessedAnalyzer agreed.

[@0devildante0]

Andre Roberson, Serge Ibaka, Dion Waiters... And they had some bench shooters who can knock down open threes. Let's not act like Ibaka couldn't sometimes shoot at 60%+ from the three in an entire playoff series..

[@playthatagainbruh394]

@@0devildante0 lol

[@brashadcarr6759]

@@0devildante0 dion waters was the only one of those who could shoot

[@rock_oclock]

Curry is worth every penny of that max contract.

[@supertupac7581]

Ben Taylor, you are so empathetic and understanding of a players skill. You can define/discuss a players weakness without hating on them! Keep up the informative videos!

[@rafaelrobin5155]

This is way ahead of its time. Masterfully created content

[@Riokaii]

Steph deserves 3 extra FMVP's, and this video proves it. Other teams evaluated curry as the more important player to double team, and paid less mind to Durant.

[@VennThuria]

So funny these days everybody says that KD is better than Steph and so on. But it's so obvious that Steph helps KD a ton, while KD doesn't change much for Steph.

[@Van_ax]

Richard S. - Curry has a losing finals record without KD. He lost 8 out of the last 10 finals games without Durant. Durant does more for curry than vice versa.

[@ricearony9723]

eBron James curry has a ring without KD, KD doesn’t have one without Steph. The warriors were already historic without KD, KD just made them immortal.

[@myleekbarkus9933]

@@ricearony9723 yes curry beat a team that had 2 of their top 3 players injured.

[@rigobertogallardo9850]

Myleek Barkus curry also beat Durant lmaooo

[@cashmontoks]

@@Van_ax lol curry beat Durant in the 2016 west finals. Steph doesn’t have a losing finals record without kd wtf. Steph won a ring without kd and kd besides 2012 never made the nba finals without steph.

[@Hundo124]

Your videos breakdown topics with supreme knowledge of the NBA and easy enough to understand. Keep up the great videos.

[@hanuragreddy1569]

BEST DETAILED ANALYSIS ON CURRY I HAVE EVER SEEN. AWESOME.

[@chitownkidd33]

Here after Durant’s coping tweet

[@MD-cy8uj]

This is why Curry is the best player on the Warriors, and the league.

[@vinnie4538]

Better than Kawhi & LeBron? Lol

[@stargon]

Keep it up man, excellent analysis.

[@realracing3841]

love your analysis and how well your videos are made

[@OfficialGrimmjow]

Alternate title reasons why Curry is better than Westbrook

[@okeythegoat2332]

Ep Am agreed !!! Westbrick 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️💀

[@julibertanoy8924]

or Who is the real MVP & FMVP???

[@opiniononion]

KD might be the best player on warriors but Curry is most valuable

[@prathameshcharati3249]

no doubt, kd has been the best performer on the team but that is coz of the splash brothers making it easy for him on both ends of the floor.

[@GsunnyGGamer]

I still think Curry is easily the better player, run the offence through him and its a wrap.Stats all back this argument. KD's iso has distracted people from what Warriors ball movement was. KD is a monster individual player but in the NBA you need a high IQ team player like Lebron or Curry to win championships.

[@ryanbaumgart9837]

@@GsunnyGGamer like that behind the back pass in game 7 iq

[@Van_ax]

x Florio - That’s not true....KD scores more points, defends the best players, and rebounds at a much higher rate than curry. He impacts winning for golden state just as much as curry. Gravity is so overrated.

[@calhounsista6491]

@@Van_ax Unfortunately for you, that's NOT what the numbers say

[@himmyturner3923]

Great vid bro

[@fluxnfiction5559]

love your talk man keep up the good work

[@lyndro]

Interesting watching this after the sweep

[@bijjuhyped]

Who is here after curry won his 4th ring …??

[@brad9634]

This channel got me back into basketball for the first time in years. 11/10

[@Marmeduuk]

I am so happy that this year's playoffs ended with GSW winning, it just proved so many wrong and showed that curry did not need kd's help to defy the odds and win a chip. Curry has always been massively underrated but when you take a good closer look you just see how amazing his presence is. I would even go so far as to say that kd did not deserve both fmvps one should have defintely gone to steph. Really good video!

[@abesong9697]

absolute facts this is what every person talking crazy putting him in the MJ category needs to see

[@youtubewatcher8565]

There's an interview Tyronn Lue speaks that Curry was the head of the snake, for the past 3 years they're up against in the finals, their gameplan is to stop Steph. I don't think people understand this so much. 3 years! they're up against in the finals, BUT IT'S THE SAME GAMEPLAN! (EVERY YEAR!) Speaks volume HOW dangerous Curry is. Sadly, media almost paint him as "underperformer" blah blah blah, whatsoever because they glorify stats so much without the need of watching the game. Of course, Durant was having those numbers! because they're choosing to kill Curry than Curry kills them, let Durant run wild at least if it's only Durant THEY HAVE A CHANCE. There's an illusion so you have to watch the game. Where's Durant now though after leaving his leader, nowhere to found.

[@afronubian9510]

this is a great breakdown video bro love the detailed analysis here bro and if KD's as smart as i think he is then he knows this too. but what's unbelievable to me is that a lot of so-called Basketball experts do not seem to know this or they just flat-out ignore it which is a shame because THIS IS the reality of KD/Steph tandem which has got the potential to be the DEADLIEST TANDEM EVER IMO

[@Aaron-nm1ob]

I'm your biggest fan! One of your first subscribers too! Love your channel

[@yvans.]

Great vids as always with you !!! I would love that you make a vids about Kawhi Leonard run in this playoffs.

[@mickeyari4641]

the fact that KD was left open so often, so teams could double steph, just goes to show how far apart they really are

[@jacksondowdle5217]

Nice video! Great breakdown, I love it!

[@OneSec27]

thanks for laying this out! great Video :D