Jimmy Butler and the Warriors needed each other. Now they need to prove they can still win

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Jimmy Butler urgently needed to get out of Miami and suddenly, the Golden State Warriors were urgently in need of a true co-star for Stephen Curry as they suddenly realized what year was on his birth certificate.

The two sides came within a few inches of a Finals meeting in 2022, when Butler’s Game 7 pull-up 3 came up short, only to set the stage for Curry to have his shining moment against the Boston Celtics two weeks later.

Three seasons later they join together, a marriage based on need as much as desperation. Butler wanted to be validated by way of location and contract, which he received in the form of a two-year deal worth $121 million after his relationship with the Miami Heat went sour. And the Warriors had to circle back to Butler when Kevin Durant sent word that a reunion wasn’t desirable, that essentially he was happy with his two championships and memories in those three years.

Another run, though? Not what he looked forward to.

It’s funny how quickly things can change in today’s NBA. It’s not just Luka Dončić being traded for Anthony Davis. It’s Butler wanting to team up with Durant in Phoenix — not being traded for him, as was speculated over the last 24 hours, and certainly not being viewed as a de-facto replacement for Durant, either.

But the Suns couldn’t convince a team to take on Bradley Beal’s contract or even Beal to drop his no-trade clause to facilitate such a move, in order to bring Butler aboard in a move that could’ve resulted in Butler and Durant raising hell together for opposing teams.

Instead, it was Butler raising hell for the Miami Heat franchise that prides itself on keeping things simple, finding the players who fit their famed culture and ex-communicating those who don’t.

If he helps the Warriors win, the reaction will be minimal. But if he stumbles over unseen roadblocks, the laugh tracks will be played. And nobody will care what headaches he gave Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley because he’s delivering wins.

Beyond the initial reaction, the questions remain. How does Butler fit into Steve Kerr’s offensive system considering he’s not a high-volume 3-point…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jimmy-butler-and-the-warriors-needed-each-other-now-they-need-to-prove-they-can-still-win-084831003.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-06 08:48:00

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