The Golden State Warriors look like a new team with Jimmy Butler on the roster, and Jeff Teague thinks he is adding something incredibly valuable that they already had.
The Golden State Warriors are 6-1 since adding Jimmy Butler to the lineup and, despite a 31-27 record on the season, look the part of title contenders. The Warriors seem to have unlocked the best version of Butler, and if he remains happy with his new situation, they could be the team to beat heading into the playoffs.
Since joining the Warriors, he is averaging 18 points, six rebounds, and 5.4 assists. His 3-point shooting is below ten percent, but he has made the most of playing alongside Stephen Curry, using the shooter’s gravity to create space for himself in the midrange and down low.
While the on-court production is plainly apparent, the Warriors are enjoying having another veteran leader in the locker room who prioritizes winning.
During his six-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Heat, Butler was tasked with being the best player on the team. He led them to two Finals appearances, so clearly, he is comfortable taking over that role, but with the Warriors, he is the clear second option behind Curry on offense and Draymond Green on defense, which is a spot he relishes.
“Jimmy is like a glue guy,” declared Jeff Teague. “Like, if you know Jimmy Butler, he’s a star. We know that. We know he can take over games, but naturally, he is a glue guy.
“From his days in Chicago with D-Rose and all those guys, he was a defensive-minded player. Did all the hustle things, and that’s what the Warriors needed.
“Another guy who could guard, also Jimmy can score, but he do all the little things like Draymond. And they needed another Swiss Army Knife type player. He got that kind of persona. He just bring that kind of energy.”
Teague played with Butler during his stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves and got to see firsthand how Butler expects his teammates to meet him where he’s at. In Golden State, everyone knows the team is on its last legs, and the added sense of urgency forces everyone to be on the same page.
While Butler plays a similar role to Green, having a new voice, so far, seems to be refreshing for the younger players on the roster.
While Green has been barking at his teammates since 2012, Butler brings the same intensity but it comes from a different voice. Teague seems to think some players on the roster might be tired of listening to Green, but when Butler says similar things, players seem to listen.
“You expect to play hard when you see Jimmy Butler, and I think he raised the level of play for everybody,” Teague continued. “You see BP, the white kid on their team, the lefty, he playing harder. You got guys coming off the bench, their energy just a little different.
“And I think it was good to have another voice. I mean, I know people hear Draymond all day, but they probably was tired of hearing him.”
Brandin Podziemski got off to a slow and disappointing start to the season, but in the seven games that Butler has been in The Bay, he is averaging a much-improved 14.1 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
He still has a long way to go before he can take over as a franchise player, but with Butler under contract for two more years, the Warriors will be in the mix for the foreseeable future.
