It has not taken long at all for Jimmy Butler to make an impact with the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler has transformed the Golden State Warriors season since he was traded from the Miami Heat at the recent deadline.
The Warriors have risen to sixth in the Western Conference and now have their sights set higher, currently on a four-game win streak and 9-1 over the past 10.
There could be further improvement to come too, with Jonathan Kuminga taking steps towards a return to action to the team.
Former NBA star Tim Hardaway Sr expect Jimmy Butler to be a positive influence on rising star Jonathan Kuminga when he returns.
Hardaway Sr told Run It Back that he expects Butler to speak plainly to Kuminga about his game, and tell him how to simplify it to focus on his strengths.
Specifically he sees Butler telling Kuminga to stop focusing on being a three point shooter.
He said: “I really think it’s gonna help Kuminga out. He gonna tell Kuminga, ‘Look, stop listening to everybody. Play your game, all right, and that means you’re not a three point shooter’.
“‘Stop shooting three points. Play your game, get into the mid range, mix it up, play downhill, use your athletic ability, and that’s what he’s going to tell him to do’.
“Sometimes you got to get all that cut out and stop listening to coaches and go out there and play your game.
“When you play your game, you will excel. Should I make the coach happy, or should I make myself happy. I think he [Kuminga] has a guy, Jimmy Butler, that’s gonna help him out with his decisions and playing better out there on the court.”
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has already spoken about wanting Jonathan Kuminga to learn from Jimmy Butler.
He explained: “I think he’s a perfect guy for JK to emulate. What makes Jimmy special is he doesn’t try to be special. He just plays fundamental basketball.
“The constant fundamental play. I mean, he never turns it over. He just makes a simple play over and over again. And I want JK to learn some of that.”
No date has yet been set for Jonathan Kuminga’s return, although he has scrimmaged with the team.
Kerr said via CBS: “He has to feel right. He has to feel healthy. He has to feel explosive. We can’t rush that.”
