Jimmy Butler has finally addressed the elephant in the room regarding his diminished shooting volume since joining the Golden State Warriors.
The six-time All-Star attempted just four shots in the recent matchup against the Phoenix Suns, following a modest seven field goal attempts versus the Houston Rockets.
These numbers represent a dramatic shift for a player once considered Miami’s primary offensive weapon.
The statistical transformation is undeniable. Jimmy Butler’s scoring average has plummeted from 20.8 PPG with Miami last season to 16.9 PPG with Golden State.
However, his playmaking responsibilities have increased, with assists climbing from 5.3 to 5.7 per game.
“I just want to do whatever it takes to win,” Butler explained candidly after the Suns game.
“If you’re open, my job is to get you the ball and I will continue to play that way as long as everybody’s winning.”
Jimmy Butler specifically highlighted rookie sensation Brandin Podziemski’s recent offensive explosion as justification for his newfound pass-first mentality.
“I’m not Brandin (Podziemski), so I’m a pass-first type of guy,” Butler admitted, acknowledging his teammate who has scored 20+ points in three of the last four games, including 22 points against Phoenix.
The young guard has effectively stepped into the secondary scoring role behind Stephen Curry, directly benefiting from Butler’s willingness to facilitate rather than dominate possessions.
Despite criticism about his reduced scoring, Butler’s impact on winning cannot be questioned.
The Warriors have compiled a remarkable 22-5 record since his arrival in the Bay Area, propelling them to sixth in the Western Conference standings.
This dramatic turnaround has Golden State positioned to secure an automatic playoff berth—proving that Butler’s willingness to reinvent himself might be exactly what the Warriors needed to return to championship contention.
