Sometimes in the NBA, a midseason change can flip the script for an entire franchise. That’s exactly what happened with the Golden State Warriors. After a rocky start to the season, the addition of Jimmy Butler has catapulted them into title contention, and Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett believes no one wants to see them in the playoffs.
When Butler arrived, Golden State was struggling to stay in the play-in picture. Since then, they’ve gone 20-6 and are playing their best basketball of the season. More than just improving the roster, Butler has raised the level of both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. In games where Curry and Butler share the floor, the Warriors are 19-3.
That’s why Garnett said on a recent episode of his podcast KG Certified that the Warriors are the team to fear most right now. He pointed to the balance that Butler has brought to the Bay Area.
“You don’t want to see Golden State right now,” Garnett noted. “Jimmy’s not only getting them to the free-throw line but they got a nice balance. Sometimes when I watch them I think they too small. But the way they play, all they rebounds [are] long”.
Jimmy Butler III #10, Draymond Green #23 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors react in the second half against the Orlando Magic. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Draymond Green believes Butler makes Warriors a title threat
With Steve Kerr pulling the strings, the Warriors have become legitimate contenders again—and Draymond Green says Butler is the reason. Green believes Butler’s versatility is exactly what Golden State needed to make a serious run at another championship.
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“I think this team has the ability to match different lineups,” Green noted. “When you look at all championship teams, they have abilities that if a team goes big, they can match it. If a team goes small, they can match that. They need a three-point shooting lineup? They can do that. They need an all-defensive lineup? They can go to that lineup”.
“I just think the versatility of this roster with adding Jimmy Butler, and what it does against other matchups, it allows us to match up against anyone,” he continued. “That’s what you need to win a championship”.
Butler is unlocking peak Curry and Green
Butler hasn’t just helped Golden State rack up wins—he’s helped bring out the best in the team’s two core stars. Stephen Curry, no longer burdened with all the playmaking duties, has been able to focus more on scoring.
Green, on the other hand, looks like a new player. With Butler sharing the defensive workload, Green’s energy and effectiveness have reached a new level. He was just named Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for March and is now firmly in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.
