The Golden State Warriors are enjoying one of their best stretches of the season, riding a seven-game winning streak. This impressive run has lifted them to sixth place in the NBA Western Conference standings. Behind Warriors’ resurgence is Jimmy Butler, who has become a key figure in providing the balance the franchise need. Despite his crucial role, Butler has faced criticism for not consistently being one of the team’s top scorers. In response to the backlash, Butler recently addressed the criticism directly.
“I’m not just a scorer…I can score if I want to. I can shoot the toughest shots and no one is going to say anything. But I want to get guys involved. When it’s my time, you’ll know that it’s my time. Until then, we gonna pass the ball to the open man, get my guys some jumpers, get them out in transition and we’re gonna keep winning,” stated Jimmy Butler as reported by Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Since joining the Warriors, Jimmy Butler has played a crucial role in bringing balance to the team. Unlike his time with the Miami Heat, where he led the offense, Butler has embraced a different role in Golden State. He no longer serves as the team’s primary scorer but has blended seamlessly into the system. His adaptability and contributions have been key to the Warriors’ impressive performances.
Butler knows he is more than just a scorer. His versatility and high basketball IQ allow him to impact both ends of the floor. This proves his value goes far beyond putting points on the board. Scoring may not be his main focus, but he has still delivered offensively. Butler has scored over 19 points in three of the Warriors’ last five games. His ability to balance offense and defense has been crucial to the team’s recent success.
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings
Jimmy Butler admits he found what he was looking for with the Warriors
After six standout seasons with the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler made a surprising decision to leave the franchise. According to NBA Insider Marc J. Spears, Butler’s departure stemmed from feeling the Heat were shifting their focus toward building around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. This reportedly left Butler feeling unwanted by the organization. Seeking a fresh start, he joined the Golden State Warriors, wherehe later admitted to finding exactly what he had been looking for.
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“I saw a group that wanted me to be a part of it…That’s all you ever wanted to be is wanted in this life, not just in this league. In anything, you want to be wanted. Needed is like a necessity. Wanted is like somebody’s choosing to bring you aboard this. I think that’s the ultimate sign of respect,” explained Butler.
