“The plan was to try to position ourselves to be better than we were, and have a legitimate chance to be relevant at the top of the West. We have a lot of work to do”. Stephen Curry made these remarks after Jimmy Butler’s trade, indicating that no time was to be wasted in getting to business. After all, if the Bay Area is getting another big-name veteran, then the team should utilize him to the fullest. Since Butler’s arrival, the Warriors’ standing has improved, with the team having won 5 of its last 6 matchups. As Draymond Green highlighted, this isn’t only because of what Butler delivers on the court while the clock is running. It is also because of how he often substitutes as an assistant coach.
Draymond Green recently released another episode of his long-running show. During the conversation with former NBA player Baron Davis, he touched base on a recent video. The same highlighted Butler drawing a play and explaining some moves to him and Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors’ power forward revealed that the team’s newest player is an ‘over communicator’. This means that he often comes up with some plans and plays that the Warriors squad could utilize. Having been in the NBA for 14 years, Butler carries an abundance of experience that he is willing to share. For Green, however, the thing that differentiates Butler from any other experienced player is ‘passion’. After all, he believes that not everyone loves basketball as much as his new teammate.
“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 sh*t, and you over communicate like Jimmy, dot every T…. I mean dot every I and cross every T, losers will get frustrated with that, you know what I’m saying,” said Green. “Like if you don’t, if you don’t love, eat, breathe this sh*t, and more importantly, winning, you can get frustrated with that. So, I can see in two weeks or 3 weeks whatever it’s been how someone can get frustrated with Jimmy yeah because most people aren’t winners.”
Not every player can take the slate away from the coach and tell his teammates how to run things. Then again, not everyone is Jimmy Butler. When he was acquired, the Warriors knew what they were getting into. Therefore, it was not surprising how the 35-year-old player was discussing strategy during the recent Warriors-Kings game. He even took the clipboard from Steve Kerr to outline plays! Butler taking the initiative was something that Green was especially pleased with. Could anyone have imagined such a scenario playing out? Especially amidst earlier doubts that Butler might not fit with the team?
“And so, the things that he’s doing like, when I tell you, to me, it’s music to my ears” Green added. “To talk basketball with somebody that know the basketball game like Jimmy, and listen and learn, you know, from somebody who know the game like Jimmy, it’s music to my ears, him over communicating the way he does.”
Feb 21, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) poses for a photo during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Jimmy Butler has already won over one key Warriors star by putting his passion on display. However, what about Stephen Curry? Well, the 3-point leader has been observing the veteran from afar. What he saw convinced him that Jimmy Butler could be placed on the same pedestal as the Warriors legend the team recently honored.
Stephen Curry compares Jimmy Butler and Andre Iguodala during the latter’s jersey retirement: “You love players like that”
Sunday marked an important day for Dub Nation. Andre Iguodala, who won 3 of his 4 NBA championships alongside Stephen Curry and Co, had his jersey retired at the Chase Center. As his No. 9 jersey was raised to the rafters, Iguodala became the 7th Warriors player to receive this honor. For Stephen Curry, the ceremony was a reminder of what he and Iguodala accomplished together. At the same time, it also turned out to be a reminder of what Curry can accomplish in the future. After all, with Jimmy Butler at his side, the Warriors can once again attempt for the championship!
“Obviously, they’re different players, different resumes, different styles,” said Curry when comparing Butler and Iguodala. “But when they’re on the floor, usually good things happen. And you love players like that who understand the game, have a high IQ, lift the level of everybody around them. … When you have a superstar like Jimmy who’s done it year after year after year, you feel it right away.”
Feb 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) and guard Stephen Curry (30) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Having already averaged 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists with the Warriors, Butler has proven himself on the court. Now, he has shown what he can do off of it. Alongside a player that falls under Draymond Green’s ‘team-player’ category, Dub Nation can once again flourish.
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