Isn't Ryzen a response to what Intel had at the time as well? So how is that an argument, lol.
The argument is sound if you would care to engage honestly.
Your argument is to attribute the 8700k to Intel as an example of their progression and product/price offerings during stagnant years where they had no competition - which is factually inaccurate. You purposefully choose to span a timeframe into 2017 that falls beyond that period, because it allows you to include the 8700k into your 'data'.
Tell me, had AMD released a 16c/32t Zen 1 cpu into mainstream in 2017 at around the $330 price point, and Intel were forced to then offer their 8700K at half the price they actually did, to who do you attribute the initiative of 6c/12t level mutli thread performance at X price?