Author: David Babb Oh, you thought this was done? After a few days of data-collecting and research, I'm back with more of everyone's favorite, Dame vs. Kyrie stats! This time I dove into the Celtics' 16 game winning streak to start the season compared to the Trailblazers' current 8 game winning streak. Both streaks were/are very impressive. Each team knocking off the most talented team in the league, the Warriors, while also playing some of the worst teams in the league. First I'll show the statistical comparison between Dame and Kyrie during their streaks. As you can see above, you'll notice that Dame has the advantage in scoring, rebounding, assisting, staying out of foul trouble and 3pt shooting (both making more per game and also shooting a higher percentage). However, Kyrie commits less turnovers, shoots a better overall percentage and from the charity stripe, while playing less minutes per game. Next, I'd like to bring up the difference of competition between the two teams' streaks, as well as the scoring differential during the streak. The Trailblazers have averaged more points per game and a higher point differential against better teams. The collective winning percentages against their respective team at the time of the match up is nearly a 9% difference. The main reason for this is due to the fact the Celtics faced more lower-tier teams during their streaks. The Blazers player 50% of their games against teams .500 and up, while the Cletics only played a team of that caliber in only 37.5% of games. Some may think that the reason the Blazers have scored more points against better teams is because the rest of their players are better. That however is not the case. This stat shows the points scored by the other 4 starters and the entire bench. The Blazers, despite scoring more points per game, average less production from the rest of their starters and their bench. The Celtics' starters not named Kyire average nearly 2 more points than the Blazers not named Dame, while the benches are seperated by roughly 1.5 points. Finally, I'll show you the difference between the other top stats for each players' team. First we will start with the Celtics: In 35.7% (5 games) of of the 14 games Kyrie played during the streak, another player on the Celtics outscored Kyrie, an alleged "elite scorer". Kyrie was obviously a huge value to the team during the streak, but he had a tremendous amount of help from his team, which is most definitely more talented than this Blazers team. This streal was not because Kyrie was taking over and winning the Celtics games. He was playing his role, usually leading the way, but he had the opportunity to sit back at times and allow for his team to do what they do. You'll see a difference with Dame and the Blazers: As you see, the Blazers didn't look to more than 3 options to do the bulk of the scoring during this streak. It is the Dame and CJ show most nights, with the occasional game with Nurkic as a guest star. Dame led the team in scoring in all but 2 games so far, meaning his team only scored more in 25% of the games.
Dame has been a very consistent go to for the Blazers. On the Celtics, it can be any guy's night any night. Although it isn't necessarily a bad thing, Kyrie's impact to the winning streak wasn't necessarily as great as Dame's impact to the Blazers. If you take Dame off of that team, there is no chance they go on this run. Meanwhile the Celtics, with one of the best coaches and young wing duos in the league, you still have a chance to go on a win streak. I'm not trying to say Kyrie didn't impact the winning, but he definitely didn't have as significant of an impact as Dame did. Dame won the Blazers a ton of games. With a lackluster supporting cast. Obviously CJ is one of the most underrated shooters and scorers in the league, but other than that, the Celtics have the advantage at every other major position. Dame also has averaged more assists (with a worse team) along with his advantage in scoring per game. Kyrie should have definitely averaged more than 5 assists per game with a better team. Dame has elevated a less talented team to be playing great. His overall team scores more per game, despite having worse production from the other 4 starters and the bench. His impact on the games has been insane. Against the Lakers, when his team needed him most Dame came through and scored 19 points in the fourth quarter. That is just ridiculous!
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