Jimmy’s Golden Touch: Butler’s Arrival Has Made Them Unbeatable
NBA star Jimmy Butler is having a blast playing for the Golden State Warriors.
Butler, who requested a trade from the Miami Heat, has helped the Warriors go from a play-in team to a legitimate title contender.
“I saw a group that wanted me to be a part of it,” Butler told NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “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.
“I talked to both [Stephen Curry and Draymond Green], but I’ve talked to both of them for a while. But they said, ‘We can do something special. We need what you bring. The winning mentality, the hard nose on both sides of the ball.’ I think that’s what you want. That’s what they told me that I bring.”
The Warriors are 37-28 on the season. They are in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
One of the best two-way players in the NBA, Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Warriors.
“I’m here now. The organization is great, the guys are great, winning is great and we do any and everything that it takes to win here,” Butler said. “So that’s what makes my mental so great. We’re winning again. I love the spirit that surrounds. There’s no talking about myself, which is great. Let me go drink my coffee, play my dominoes and leave me alone.”
Golden State is 12-1 in games Butler has played.
Curry, the greatest shooter in NBA history, has loved what he’s seen from Butler.
“Super-consistent, a professional,” Curry said. “There’s been a lot of eyeballs with him all season and all that, but I loved the way he’s approached everything. Me and Draymond always talk about [how] we don’t ask anybody to be anybody other than themselves, but we show up to play.”
