KD only scored more than Curry in the Finals because Curry attracted double teams

[warriorfan]

KD wasn’t more clutch. He was befitting from wide open looks resulting from the constant double teams and trapping the Cavaliers were forced to send as soon as Curry brought the ball to half court. We saw how many open lay ups and dunks KD had. Those were generated from Steph Curry. Look at the on/off numbers. Advanced plus minus metrics. Team record with Curry missing rather than with KD. KD is replaceable, Curry is not.

[3ball]

KD wasn’t more clutch. He was befitting from wide open looks resulting from the constant double teams and trapping the Cavaliers were forced to send as soon as Curry brought the ball to half court. We saw how many open lay ups and dunks KD had. Those were generated from Steph Curry. Look at the on/off numbers. Advanced plus minus metrics. Team record with Curry missing rather than with KD. KD is replaceable, Curry is not.

KD had zero clutch points in 17' or 18' Finals if I remember correctly (no points when the game was under 5 min, within 5)

I'd have to verify that on NBA.com

[FultzNationRISE]

I heard Curry sometimes puts on a wig and walks down MLK trying to attract double teams from Jamaal and Tyrone.

[warriorfan]

KD had zero clutch points in 17' or 18' Finals if I remember correctly (no points when the game was under 5 min, within 5)

I'd have to verify that on NBA.com

Sounds about right. He played well don’t get me wrong but not as good as his box scores would portray. He was seeing comfortable open looks all series between the 4 on 3 sets generated by the trapping and LeBrons reluctant, lackadaisical defense.

[3ball]

.
Clutch PPG in 17' Playoffs (last 5 within 5)

Curry... 5.3 ppg
KD....... 4.7 PPG

https://stats.nba.com/players/clutch...nType=Playoffs



Clutch PPG in 18' Playoffs (last 5 within 5)

Curry... 6.5 ppg
KD....... 4.5 ppg

https://stats.nba.com/players/clutch...nType=Playoffs



^^^ Verified data

[warriorfan]

LeBron’s defense was extremely poor in these Finals.

[warriorfan]

.
Clutch PPG in 17' Playoffs (last 5 within 5)

Curry... 5.3 ppg
KD....... 4.7 PPG

https://stats.nba.com/players/clutch...nType=Playoffs



Clutch PPG in 18' Playoffs (last 5 within 5)

Curry... 6.5 ppg
KD....... 4.5 ppg

https://stats.nba.com/players/clutch...nType=Playoffs



^^^ Verified data

Interesting. The data reflects what we were seeing from the eye test.

[ImKobe]

KD averaged 30.6 ppg on 65%TS at age 23 against peak Lebron's Heat team..

[BigShotBob]

KD being guarded by Lebron helped because Lebron wanted no parts of him whatsoever. He was being guarded by the worst defender on the court every time.

[tpols]

LeBron’s defense was extremely poor in these Finals.

it was shockingly bad defense, i remember at the time everybody was like wtf?

cleveland was also sprinting to cover chef on transition 3's , and letting durant get wide open fastbreak dunks too lol

[Nilocon165]

KD had zero clutch points in 17' or 18' Finals if I remember correctly (no points when the game was under 5 min, within 5)

I'd have to verify that on NBA.com

I mean his two most iconic finals shots both fit that criteria

[Replay32]

Curry definitely had the Cavs defense shook. Their defensive effort and game plan was a joke. But I agree, Steph drew the majority of the the Cavs defensive attention and KD benefited from it.

[GimmeThat]

Yes, the entire Golden States Warriors team scored more than Stephen Curry because Stephen Curry consistently drew double teams. In fact, Stephen Curry's outstanding offensive rebound ability deserves to give him a break on the defensive end.

[Wardell Curry]

Yes, I do believe OP is correct.

[light]

KD is a better scorer than Curry. That's probably why.

Plus Curry is a point guard.