The Golden State Warriors have found new life following the midseason addition of Jimmy Butler, turning around what had been a lackluster first half of the season. Now sitting in sixth place in the standings, the Warriors are in a solid position to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs. However, Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem issued a cautionary warning about two teams that could potentially knock the Warriors out in the first round.
The Heat’s all-time leading rebounder explained that the Warriors must avoid facing the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Houston Rockets early in the postseason, as both teams have the tools to eliminate them.
“Neither [Oklahoma or Houston] in the first round is gonna play out well for Golden State,” Haslem said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “But [Thunder] has wing defenders. They have Alex Caruso; they have Luguentz Dort. They have these lengthy, long wing defender guys”.
“And Houston [Rockets] have that as well,” Haslem added. “So, neither one of those teams in the first round is going to play out well for Golden State. So, in my opinion, move up as high as you can and get out of there”.
Haslem highlights Jimmy Butler’s weakness
Before the Warriors’ bounce-back win over the Bucks, they suffered a loss to the Nuggets, who were missing their star, Nikola Jokic. During that game, Haslem pointed out a specific weakness in Jimmy Butler’s game against certain player profiles like Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook.
“When you talk about Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook, you’re talking about guys that have size, speed, and athleticism,” Haslem noted. “Those are the kinds of guys Jimmy struggles with”.
“Smaller guards he can overpower, bigger guys he can usually get around,” he continued. “Those guys that have that balance of both, those teams are ones Jimmy struggles with. Guys with switchable matchups that can guard him on the post and the perimeter”.
Curry believes Butler could deliver a championship
Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s Steiny & Guru, Stephen Curry expressed confidence in the Warriors’ championship potential following the addition of Butler. “We can win it [the NBA title]. Absolutely. That’s why we’re juiced to be in this position,” Curry said.
“We have plenty of experience on our side, a good balance of veteran presence and youthful energy,” he continued. “Butler’s trade brought balance to our team, defined our roles, and solidified our rotation from night to night”.