Finals Preview

From what Im seeing KD is not going to help. We can still Win, but Andre has to be good.

Athletic Alchemy

I wrote almost the same thing you did word for word in a text to a friend. I thought I was reading my own comment. you're a genius!

Peter Beckler

It is okay, it is just game 1 even though i was so pissed, turn off all tv at home, no post game or anything and wait for your take 😂 if we lose game 2, it might be a good thing because Durant will be back game 3 and we will win 4 straight games to claim the tittle, Durant will be final MVP again, people won’t doubt Durant, he is happy and will stay with us. It is a win-win situation for Warriors since all the media are trying to break us up, and says we don’t need Durant 👍

Ryan Tr

I think there is a chance his 3ball is on. When you are rehabbing like he has you shoot a lot of set shots. Question will be pace. If it’s slow enough for him to get up and down he could give us some scoring.

Athletic Alchemy

I know the joke is he is a cyborg, but I’ve seen signs he is wearing down.

Athletic Alchemy

Outstanding content is much appreciated, Alch. So what should we expect from Boogie? Second unit banging? Any possibility for overachievement from him???

Dan Doerge

I agree with your take GS should guard Kawhi 1v1 all game and constantly run him off screens all game and wear him down those legs won't last long.

Perfect matchup for Quinn and the way he was freaking the guys on Portland I think he can dance on Vanvleet too.

I have also heard the theory that KD is done and so he traveling just for the sake of being with the team. Will know soon enough

Athletic Alchemy

Thanks.. if he doesn’t! then he deserves the chip

Athletic Alchemy

Great stuff. I agree, it's gonna be a war of attrition approach by GSW on Kawhi. I don't think there's any way GSW lets KD make that flight coast to coast unless they're seriously thinking about playing him. People may think it's crazy but I think he's playing G2. Game 1's are always a little weird, but this is to GSW's advantage. It was a good thing for GSW to experience starting off a big series on the road last year. It's a different dynamic. In G2 last year vs HOU, we got rocked, after winning G1. If you bring back KD for G2, it's almost like starting off with a G1 of a whole new series against a new team. I think Draymond-Siakam is the key matchup. Draymond was able to dominate the POR series bc he was guarding Aminu/Harkless instead of Lillard/Mccollum. Anytime Draymond can play off his man, our defense dominates bc he's blowing up so much action all over the court. On the other end, will Siakam be able to stop everything Draymond does offensively, including our PnR's? If Draymond is not accounted for by the opponent on both ends, he's the type of player who will impose his will and completely control a bball game.

I think Kerr will use him for sure..

Athletic Alchemy

Very refreshing!

Athletic Alchemy

Thanks man! I’m trying to take advantage of being independent. I can say what I want when I want and yall know it’s just that.

Athletic Alchemy

Do you think Quinn Cook will have a big series? Vanvleet makes him more playable than previous series, not to mention cook has 2 inches on him since Vanvleet is only 5’11.

Finals with the Dubs gots me so excited, like 2015 all over again! Especially since we don’t have the Cleveland Calves (sic) anymore.

Mitch Moyers

Hey Alch been waiting on this one, sublime as usual. Also just wanted to let you know that while i always watched your vids, lately they've started to be my primary source for finals games replays and summaries. Your analysis is top notch plus you always throw a little bit of sauce in there to lighten the mood. Compared to Fox news or espn where its just drama and rumours show after show and i feel like my time is being wasted. keep killing it

josh hickman

Well I’m hoping he gets some garbage time so I can lay into him. I got at him a bit at the end of the closeout game 6 they just had.

Athletic Alchemy

I'm disappointed Alch. I thought for sure you'd at least bust some Patty Mac balls. Dude left the Dubs to get more minutes and has basically not seen the floor with the Dinos. He'd be second off the bench behind Looney for the Dubs. He should have been in your non-X-factor section. :-D

Tio

Great breakdown Alch, love the take. I couldn’t agree more, we’ve just gotta grind Kawhi down and make him work every play of the series. Throw enough bodies at him on both sides of the ball and hopefully he’ll run outta gas.

Aidan Willner

Will see! I remember him staying down switched out better. Weak side contest!? Yeah he is up in the air real quick

Athletic Alchemy

If anything, I feel like Serge at times can be even less disciplined than Siakam. There were so many times during the sixers and bucks series where he fell for pump fakes from shooters like Embiid/Giannis/Bledsoe.

guni_800

I have gotten some pushback on that. Maybe Im wrong. I see it kinda of like Looney and Bell. Bell can be the better defender, but he is much more prone to mistakes.

Athletic Alchemy

Great breakdown. I might have to disagree with you on one small thing though. I don't think Ibaka is the superior switch defender to Siakam, at least not on guards. Ibaka's perimeter defense has declined over the years which is partially why they made the change to put him at center on the beginning of the season. He can handle some forwards and maybe a few guards who aren't elite ball handlers, but Siakim is the better and quicker switch defender at this point. also remember Steph scored on Ibaka repeatedly on those switches against OKC a few years ago.

Matt Piers

Warriors will expose how pathetic Bucks' defense was

Kevin Chan

I think they show and fight through... Nurse is not afraid to be dynamic. Ultimately I think they will be left switching.

Athletic Alchemy

I see a lot of hard fought rebounds and also opportunities for transition 3 ball with Klay and Curry when Toronto goes all out for the rebound, but misses a couple and can't get back on D

YANCEY WADE

👊🏽

Athletic Alchemy

The reincarnation of the Mamba, the Night King, Kawhi wants his revenge. If Klay guard Kawhi, I wonder if Kerr will send the double team. Kawhi did have 6 turnovers in game 6.

YANCEY WADE

How will they try to guard Curry? Trap or Switch? I think this series really depends on whether Curry plays well, because no matter how good Toronto is they are unlikely to match Warriors offensively if Warriors don't go cold.

Kevin Chan

They have length to try it! Dray is pretty strong with the ball. It also leaves the other guys more open if the screen is effective.

Athletic Alchemy

What are your thoughts on a strategy which involves crowding Draymond and making him attack the basket when he looks to initiate the offence? From my times of watching the warriors, teams often leave Draymond wide open at the 3 point line , which makes sense as he’s not the most lethal shooter. However, this strategy also gives Draymond a lot more room to scan the floor and hit the splash brothers in perfect rhythm off screens for jumpers. So I was wondering if instead of leaving gaping Draymond, what if the raptors stuck Kawhi or Siakam on Draymond and made them get up in Draymond’s airspace, not only making Drays passes more difficult, but also forcing him to either give up the ball or attack the basket and score on these guys as the Raptor defenders won't provide any help defense on Draymond’s drives in this strategy. I feel like this strategy could potentially limit the warriors off ball action a bit more considering Draymond is usually the playmaker for those actions

guni_800

Welcome! And thank you for the support! Let me ask you as a Raptors fan....What do you think the chances are Nurse would go to Lin if things aren’t going as planned?

Athletic Alchemy

I’m new to the Patreon... as a Raptors fan lol. I just subbed today and while I’m sad that you’re not posting as much on YouTube, I understand and can afford to sub for the minimum. Your analysis was spot on. I’m hoping for a Raptors win, or for them to at least push the Warriors to 7 Lol. I agree with you that coach Nurse will be looking to get Gasol involved early similar to how Kerr got Draymond involved early in the games vs Houston. I actually think the Warriors have the size advantage over the Raptors on the bench with OG Anunoby out. Anyway, looking forward to more breakdowns and hopefully an exciting series!

Thanks man! I intend to continue to improve at this whole thing.

Athletic Alchemy

I don’t think this has gotten enough praise but your intros in the last few weeks have been fuckin incredible. And as always, super insightful analysis. Let’s hope these boys can get it done.

Right good point about Klay. I think he knows shutting Kawhi shit down is where the glory and win lies.

Athletic Alchemy

Your right he is. But he is also way less disciplined staying down or switching correctly

Athletic Alchemy

Yeah I don’t think it can... if we make a driver

Athletic Alchemy

Yes similar strategy. When you have the personnel to do so it’s almost always the best initial strategy. Obviously there is nuance to it. Like eventually when you the initial defender get s beat you step over and help so it’s not just a layup line. But the point is to mostly stay at home and make Kawhi work.

Athletic Alchemy

I think Kerr will throw him in to start the 2nd for about 4 min and sees how it goes. Maybe not gm1 tho.

Athletic Alchemy

Thanks Fcpx ....

Athletic Alchemy

Your analysis on Kawhi was spot on, it's kinda ridiculous Bucks didn't take advantage of Kawhi playing on one leg. I suspect depending on Curry's mental state, he will cook everyone. We saw how relaxed and fluid he was in the Blazer series. The guy that I think will bother him the most is FVV, this is where Curry needs to draw some easy pump fake fouls early to get FVV off his back. Klay has something to prove after not making all nba, hopefully in a good way and not in a tunnel vision sort of way.

Paradox

Interesting you say that Steph will look to pick on Siakam more than Ibaka. I thought Steph would be more inclined to attack ibaka considering Siakam is much more laterally quick and longer(not by a whole lot) than Ibaka

guni_800

Warriors in 6 would be a perfect way to say goodbye to Oracle! Would obviously prefer a sweep, but can't see that happening. It's definitely going to be a really tough series without KD. On the other hand, I'm not sure if Kawhi's body can last another 6-7 game series.

Ronnie Meade

damn coach. that was beautiful. question - obviously the specifics of the matchups and the tactics will differ from your outline, but how likely do you think Dubs will lean on the general strategy of making Kawhi beat Klay/ Andre/ Dray over and over? Was this similar to what we did with Harden?

Pete Lee

Warriors in 5!

Strong Foru

Great vid! Just curious on what do you think the team will do with Boogie on the mix? He's more likely to play than KD at this point.

production quality is on another level Alch. Great job!!! Premiere pro?

Damn Alchemy it's been so long. I missed you!

YANCEY WADE

Raptors possibly catching lightning in a bottle with no KD...

Appreciate the support Levan!

Athletic Alchemy

Ayy, havent watched yet but thanks for the quality content alch 😁