The Golden State Warriors were on the hunt for another superstar to bolster their championship aspirations alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. While early speculation suggested Kevin Durant might return, it was Jimmy Butler who ultimately joined the squad. Butler wasted no time making an impact, helping the team surge back into playoff contention.
Since Butler’s arrival from the Miami Heat, the Warriors have posted an impressive 12-1 record, climbing to 6th place in the Western Conference standings and positioning themselves for a direct playoff berth.
Butler showcased his value with his first triple-double as a Warrior during a 130-120 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. After the win, Butler praised the team’s high basketball IQ, led by Curry and Green.
“IQ is big here, especially with Steph [Curry] and with [Draymond Green],” Butler said postgame via NBC Sports Bay Area. “More than anything, they just play basketball the right way. They know where the ball’s got to go, at what time in the game. That is part of IQ, but that is part of being a winning basketball player as well”.
Butler also expressed admiration for his new teammates. “You’ve seen what they’ve done here, how many championships that they’ve won,” Butler said of Curry and Green.
“They’ve played [many] games together, so playing against them, you know what is expected, so now that you’re on their same team, they talk about it,” he continued. “There’s so much respect that I’ve always had for those two, but now that I’m here, it’s even more“.
Joining the Warriors is a dream come true for Butler
When the Warriors brought Butler on board, there were initial questions about how well he would fit, especially after a rocky end to his time with the Heat. However, the move has proved beneficial for both sides, with Butler thriving in Golden State’s team-oriented environment.
“I think it’s everything that I’ve expected,” Butler said about joining the Warriors. “Anything that I can actually dream of, too, if we’re being brutally honest. I just want to win. There ain’t no individual goals here, they don’t care who scores, they don’t care who gets triple-doubles, they don’t care about none of that. All they want to do is win a championship“.
Butler credits his teammates for his triple-double
Despite achieving his first triple-double with the Warriors, Butler shifted the focus to his teammates, highlighting the collective effort that led to the victory. “You can’t get a triple-double without your teammates. That’s for damn sure. I’m just happy that we won, triple-double or not,” Butler said following the win over the Blazers.
In his 13 games with Golden State, Butler has averaged 17 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Additionally, he’s shooting 45% from the field and boasts an impressive 88% free throw percentage, cementing his role as a key contributor to the Warriors’ success.