The New Fab Five

I don't believe in Trae young, he'll be just another Dame imo. Elite PG that makes it to the playoffs every year but ultimately falls short because of the swarming defense. He NEEDS to add an off ball game if he truly wants to impact the game in the playoffs. As for Luka, I think he'll easily be the most successful, why? Because unlike LeBron, he will stay with the Mavs and build both chemistry and confidence with his teammates and front Office, just in his 2nd year the Mavs put around him the team LeBron should've always had, the Mavs are stacked with truly elite Snipers and defenders. I also think he can get away with being so ball dominant because he doesn't have another clear cut star teammate. Not to mention I've already seen him moving without the ball and relegating to teammates more than I ever saw LeBron do, AND he seems to actually be coachable and willing to buy into a system.

José Francisco

I’m not sure that’s the case, Tatum allows for Brown and Kemba to do their thing. Luka would relegate them to less.

Athletic Alchemy

Tbh I had Ja second when I initially sat down to make this. But after watching more Luka I bumped him up. Because of size and durability. I think with Ja it’s where he gathers it from and when. No doubt he can bounce straight up, it’s with a clean gather that’s the problem.

Athletic Alchemy

I'm p high on Ja. Definitely more raw than Tatum up to now. Tatum's rank is deserved this season; however, an argument for this is his 2 way play. I'd suggest from this perspective that Ja is 2nd best 2 way player on this list. Lost tho he is as a rookie, he looks substantially better than luka in his rookie year. And it's hard to say that Ja is a notch better than zion defensively, Zions showing is too limited to actually rank him higher. Plus the positional difference makes the comparison silly anyway. As a playmaker, Ja's rawness is appealing and he feels like more of a genuine improvisation than the structured and rehearsed step back or other spacing footwork we see in Tatum doncic and trae. The comment about pull up shooting is legit. It's like he's too jelly to jump straight up, rigidly, robotically, like we miss seeing with Livingston. Why can't he do that? Explode to the elbow and rise straight up?

Eric Edelmann

I don't know about Tatum, he has proven some stuff in the playoffs but his ceiling just feels like a PG13 to me, a really great 2 way player who had early success in the playoffs but not going to win without a lot of help, but the Celtics might be able to put enough pieces for him to win a championship in his time there so maybe the narrative will change. I just picture if Luka and Tatum switched teams, i feel like the Celtics become the favourite to come out the east and the Mavs would fall off a bit

Adv

I think we only trade back if a really nice opportunity presents itself. I don’t think they are hunting to trade back. We got to get through the lotto first, to really start guessing.

Athletic Alchemy

I was discussing with someone about who to trade our 2020 pick to, I'm leaning the Knicks bc they're too desperate to have any signs of life and we could get a bigger haul out of them. He was talking about trading with the Kings in order to get Holmes and the Kings pick (should be around 7-10th). I don't mind Holmes since he fills a need for us, the problem is that I don't know if the Kings will have a better pick than the Hawks. The Hawks would love to have either Vassell or Haliburton to play with Trae due to Trae's limitations as a player. Trae's improvement on defense is only going to be marginal, his motor is way too much like pre-17 Harden to have the team having their offense closer to the G league Warriors and not the Thunder.

William Mitchell

Yeah that’s a good call.. I just meant in impact, best scorer in the league. But your right physically he much closer to PG

Athletic Alchemy

I see more PG in Tatum than KD! Watchu think Alc?

Daniel Bazikian

All good points, the Luka LeBron conundrum is a real thing tho. Offensively he might be even better than Bron, obviously he is no where near the defender prime Bron was. I wonder if Luka will have a CP like career. Widely though of as one of the best players, ton of accolades.. but not quite good enough to be that ball dominant on a championship team.

Athletic Alchemy

Ja Morant’s play style seems really unsustainable, unless he’s a physical freak of nature he’s going to get injured at some point. I think he can get away with playing the way he does for 2-3 more years and then he will have to develop a more mature style or else he’s going to crash and burn. Zion scares me. I really don’t think he’s going to last unless he’s able to lose a lot of weight. His knees and hips and going to grind themselves to smithereens. I would wager Luka wins at least 2 rings throughout his career. Trae is going to remain ringless unless they find him some better teammates or he demands a trade to a better team. Tatum seems like the real deal of the five. I bet he retires last of them and with most rings. Those are my hot takes for what it’s worth

Tao Rodriguez-Seeger

He is a way better passer than Dame could imagine ever being. But Dame strong as an ox and Town tough. I hear you tho! In terms of mentality and shit selection.

Athletic Alchemy

Valid point.. I have fallen victim to it as well.. but it feels sustainable.

Athletic Alchemy

😄

Athletic Alchemy

Everyone compares Trae to Steph but the reality is Steph never really played like Trae. In my opinion he is more Lillard.

Kevin Chan

great video alch. I'd still take doncic over tatum. I think tatums last month or two in the league when he went absolutely nuclear felt like a bit of a hot streak and people are judging him based off hype. I think he's got that killer mentality which'll really benefit him but like you said there's just something special about luka. luka magic really exists... I can see luka winning a few mvp's easily. his iq and passing are seriously next level and his overall feel for the game is next to none. If hr ever gets up to 38-40% on threes it's gonna be a wrap.

Ezra Abbey

Bro said “Don’t let yah girl fool you, size matters.” Shit made me laugh out loud lmao. Another great video.

Right! I didn’t even bring up his playoff experience! I tell you what tho.. if he picks back up where he left off, the Cs have got a real shot.

Athletic Alchemy

That’s a good idea a Paul! First person that comes to mind is CJ

Athletic Alchemy

Alc, I would love to see a video of you breaking down Tatum’s (or anyone’s) footwork!

Paul Byun

Loved the vid Alch. I'm on the same page as you. I think Tatum should be on top of this list because he has been and has performed well in the postseason, while none of these other players have. Though I will say that Tatum has gone completely under the radar for me in terms of how much he has improved in the last season.

Christopher Fong

Tatum is Kd-ish and Luka is LeBron-ish as far as building around them..now, who can get closer to their archetype? Will see! But Yeah if you could promise Zion would play 10 years with no major injuries you'd be hard pressed not to just take him over everyone.

Athletic Alchemy

Once he gets that max the narrative will change quickly if they are not a playoff team. I like how ATL has drafted tho, maybe they will build around him enough.

Athletic Alchemy

I've been called crazy for the same take. I think you're right on point Alch although I'm willing to move Doncic up the list if he process himself this postseason and I'm willing to move zion over ja if you promised me he'd be healthy. Makes me sad seeing all these young studs knowing our draft situation this year

Simhesh Shastry

I love Traes game but he just screams "good player on a bad team" to me. I don't think his numbers are sustainable on a team with more weapons. I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I'm just not feeling the hype.

Branden Edwards