While Jimmy Butler was causing problems in Miami, the Warriors continued to struggle. Ten games before the trade deadline and they were barely clinging to the 10th seed with their title winning odds at a laughable +6600. It was clear; the Warriors needed something.
But no one expected it to be the troublesome Jimmy. In fact, when the deal went down, the critics were quick with the questions. “Why trade Wiggins for Butler?
How will he mesh with Drymond? And why pay him $60M over two years? ” But Steph Curry wanted Jimmy Butler.
And when they got him Drymond Green was so confident he declared that Golden State would win the title. I think we're going to win the championship say that one more time so that everybody here can say I didn't hear you my my earpiece because they added Jimmy Butler the third so what did you say I'm sorry I said I think we're going to win a championship but I lie we are going to win the championship wow. Was he high?
Well, 8 games later and the Warriors are on a 7-1 winning streak. Butler’s hard screens, aggressive drives, and ability to draw fouls have created the perfect conditions for Steph Curry. Steph has gone from averaging 22.
7 points on 43. 1% shooting, to hitting 29 points per game on nearly 50% from the field. He’s even doing something he hasn’t done in 6 years; he’s dunking Now, Drymond’s words don’t sound so crazy and we’re starting to learn why Steph Curry wanted him.
The Golden State Warriors are no longer the unstoppable juggernaut we once knew. This season the Warriors have been struggling to keep up with an NBA that’s younger, and straight-up hungrier and so they’ve been catching Ls left and right. They suffered an embarrassing loss to the Phoenix Suns and in their last 10 games before the trade, they lost 7 and managed only 3 wins.
By mid-January, they were 25-24, stuck at 10th in the West, and clinging to the play-in by a thread. The defence was so weak that their opponents were able to shoot 47% from the field and 38% from deep in those last 10 games. And the offense wasn’t much better as they were positioned 19th in the league at 112 points per 100 possessions.
It was clear that they needed something. Someone to flip the script. Someone who would not only bring that dog mentality back but could also play the 2-way game.
Many fans thought this would be Kevin Durant or Zach Lavine. Anyone, but the player who has been suspended for a total of 16 games this year alone. Jimmy Butler didn’t seem like the guy for Golden State but people like Jeff Teague always knew what he could do.
naturally he a glue guy from his days in Chicago with D Rose and all those guys he was a defensive minded player did all the hustle things and that's what the Warriors needed another guy who could guard also Jimmy can score but he do all the little things like Drymond and they needed another Swiss army knife type player. So when the Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins for Jimmy Butler it was a bit surprising but the NBA world just wasn’t impressed by the new look Warriors. Analysts pointed to his limited deep shooting and heavy reliance on physicality.
They also talked about his injury history and off-court demeanor. The early breakdowns were simply brutal. And even when the Warriors went 3-1 in the first 4 games, their minds still hadn’t changed.
who he think afraid of Golden State even with Jimmy Butler do I believe they can beat OKC no do I believe they can beat the Thunder no hell I don't believe if if if the uh Lakers these last 30 games get into some type of Rhythm I don't believe they can beat the Lakers let alone dealing with Cleveland and Boston. I don't believe that they're going to win it matter of fact I know they're not going to win an NBA championship this year but they definitely as hell going to compete I believe that they sealing is a first round exit Some even argued that Wiggins was better for the Warriors than Butler. But what they all missed was the reason for the trade; what was Golden State looking for?
You see, the trade wasn’t just about numbers—it was about injecting a killer mentality into a franchise in need of a fix. It was about bringing in someone with a passion for the game and winning. Jimmy is an overcommunicator you know what I'm saying like he Jimmy going to come to you before something ever happen like if this happen we going to do this I'll be honest with you I see how people can get tired of Jimmy because if you're not a basketball head like if you don't love this and you over communicate like Jimmy and you dot every T I mean dot every eye and cross every T losers will get frustrated with that you know what I'm saying like if you don't if you don't love eat breathe this and and more importantly winning you can get frustrated with that so I can see in two weeks or three weeks whatever it's been how someone can get frustrated with Jimmy y because most people aren't winners and so the things that he's doing like when I tell you to me it's it's music to my ears Well so far, Jimmy’s overcommunication has transformed the Golden State Warriors.
In his Warriors debut against the Bulls, Butler registered 25 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal in 29 minutes to help the team overcome a 24-point deficit. He followed up in his next game against the Bucks with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in 31 minutes helping Golden state to their 2nd win. He sets hard screens that force switches, draw heavy contact, and put opponents in foul trouble.
His aggressive drives and quick decision-making often disrupts defenses. Stephen A. was really on the money when he said this about Jimmy’s impact on Curry.
do y'all know that Jimmy Butler has been to the free throw line 40 times he's collect he's he's he's uh he's accumulated 40 free throws in the four games that he's played so you got a guy that's not Andrew Wiggins okay that knows when to be aggressive knows how to be aggressive and most importantly he spares Steph Curry not just because he can be a Bonafide secondary option but because he gets to the free throw line. we got to remember who Steph Curry is and his greatest asset outside of his Marksmanship is his conditioning but he is going to be 37 years of age and his movement without the basketball and constantly having to run around with everybody looking for him and creating space for him so he can launch if you have a guy like Jimmy Butler not only who can score but who can get to the free throw line buying you rest that also galvanizes you because ultimately it elevates your energy. And he was so right on the money ‘cause Steph Curry recently exploded for 56 points, knocking down 12 threes with clinical precision.
Jimmy Butler played a crucial role, setting screens and drawing defenders, creating the perfect environment for Curry’s barrage from deep. At one point in the game, Butler’s off-ball movement caught the defense off guard. As he flashed a deep screen, Curry sliced to the left.
The double-team hesitation left Curry wide open and of course Curry drilled the deep three that put the Warriors ahead. After the game both Curry and Jimmy paid their respects to each other’s performance that day. you know obviously Jimmy provides a a great presence a high level of IQ and connects the game so if we keep doing that game after game after game we should be in good shape down the stretch and then we take it from there.
uh fun to watch um even more fun cuz it's a a huge reason to why we won the game I'm glad it was you know like I said I'm glad I'm on this side of it. And of course let’s not forget what Butler brings to the team in terms of basketball IQ. he was showing us a different way to run a set to open up some like to get him in a certain position that's going to open it up he like so if they take it the way this way if you just come out this side and do that that's going to put this guy here and I got him sealed you know what I'm saying it's just different stuff like that that Jimmy man he dialed in on it.
This new Warriors team is winning and obviously they are happy together. Steph’s happy and it shows in his games. Drymond’s so happy he’s making bold statements.
Even Buddy Hield has been shooting lights out since Butler arrived. As for Jimmy, here’s what he had to say when asked about it. a lot uh I mean I really enjoy being in this locker room and being around these guys um obviously it's fun to win.
This is why Steph Curry wanted Jimmy Butler. The Warriors needed someone who had that killer mentality. Someone who wanted to win badly and was ready to put everything on the line.
This is what Jimmy brought and in Golden State it has converted to wins. Since the trade, the Warriors’ offensive efficiency surged to a +14 net rating. As such, their offensive rating jumped from 18th to 6th.
With Butler teaming up with Drymond at the back, their defensive rating has gone from 10th to 5th. And it has been an all-round improvement with assists per game going from 9th to 3rd, assist-to-turnover ratio from 8th to 3rd, steals from 9th to 2nd, and turnovers reduced from 12th fewest to 5th. But still the question on everyone’s mind is, can this Warriors squad, with its mix of veteran savvy and aggressive new energy, live up to the championship hype?
Well, only time will tell but let’s not forget that Playoff Jimmy is a real thing. Playoff Jimmy is a real thing. That’s true.
Right! We’re talking about a guy that has led the Miami Heat to two finals, right. Has been in the thick of things.
But can this player who dragged the Heat to two Finals do the same in the Bay? Like, this isn’t even Miami and he doesn’t have to carry the whole squad on his back. Steph’s still splashing from the logo, pulling defenses into the blender, while Drymond’s still setting picks and talking smack.
Jimmy can simply eat off the chaos from the corner. He’s already bringing back the free-throw game to the Dubs. Add that to Steph’s range and Dry’s IQ and there’s no telling what can happen.
But what do you think? Can Golden State continue their winning form deep into the playoffs? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
And if you enjoyed this video, you should see the Steph Curry shot that changed the NBA next.
