The Golden State Warriors have undergone a remarkable turnaround this season, thanks in large part to the leadership of Jimmy Butler. After his arrival, the team surged from a 25-26 record to an impressive 14-3, transforming into a legitimate playoff contender. Butler’s influence, particularly his chemistry with Stephen Curry and his exceptional free-throw shooting, has been instrumental in this transformation.
Steve Kerr highlights Butler’s free-throw mastery
One of the most significant changes since Butler joined the Warriors has been their free-throw shooting. Prior to his arrival, the Warriors ranked dead last in the NBA, converting just 72% of their attempts and averaging 14.7 free-throws per game. However, with Butler’s presence, the team has seen a dramatic improvement, now boasting an 84.5% free-throw success rate and 21.1 attempts per game.
Golden State’s head coach, Steve Kerr, attributes much of this shift to Butler’s ability to draw fouls and his stellar 88.7% free-throw shooting.
Jimmy's presence disrupts opponents' defenses, creating opportunities not just for himself but for the entire team, Kerr remarked,
underscoring how Butler's skillset has enhanced the Warriors' offensive efficiency.
Butler’s efficient play elevates the Warriors’ offense
Butler’s influence extends beyond the free-throw line. His solid fundamentals, keen passing, and unselfish play have taken the Warriors’ offense to a new level. Kerr expressed his admiration for Butler's style of play, saying,
You have to really see him every day to appreciate his game because he's not your traditional superstar who's lighting it up from 3 or wowing you with highlights. It's really just the efficiency of his game. He's incredibly sound fundamentally. He's a great passer.
Since Butler joined the team, the Warriors’ offense has become more dynamic and efficient. His presence has allowed Curry to thrive, with the two-time MVP’s scoring average jumping from 22.7 points per game to 29.0 points per game. Kerr praised this new synergy, saying,
Steph just wants to play meaningful basketball, and I love that because it's humble, but it's also hopeful.
Butler’s leadership and chemistry with Curry
The growing partnership between Butler and Curry has been pivotal to the Warriors' success. Butler's unselfish style of play and basketball IQ complement Curry’s scoring ability, giving the team a balanced offensive strategy. Kerr reflected on the importance of high-IQ players surrounding Curry and Draymond Green, noting,
We've always been at our best with high-IQ guys around Steph and Draymond, and that's what I'm seeing with Jimmy.
Butler’s consistent performance—averaging 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game—has elevated the Warriors to new heights. His leadership and collaboration with Curry have been key to the team’s remarkable turnaround, propelling them from a mediocre record to championship contention.