Two games, two victories: the beginnings of Jimmy Butler Under the Warriors tunic could hardly take place. If it is obviously too early to draw conclusions, the convincing success against the Bucks last night confirmed some of the first impressions seen in Chicago for the first match of the winger with Golden State.
Its presence offers a new dimension to attack the franchise of San Francisco, both for itself and for its teammates, Stephen Curry in mind.
An additional solution
Against the Bucks on Monday, Steph Curry signed a fourth consecutive match above the 30 units, a first for him since December 2021, almost an anomaly. Above all, his last two outings against Chicago and Milwaukee, with Jimmy Butler, were under the sign of a found efficiency.
After his 32 points at 12/31 (6/18 to 3-point) against jazz and his 37 points at 13/35 (6/20 from afar) among the Lakers, Stephen Curry remains on two boxes without having to force : 34 points at 10/19 (8/16 to 3-point) among the Bulls and 38 points at 12/24 (6/16 behind the arc) last night.
“” There is clearly a link »With the inclusion of Jimmy Butler, confirmed Stephen Curry at a press conference Monday evening. “” Nothing but playing in an organized manner in attack and being able to have a passing solution to the opposite, or to have another solution if the defense wants to trap me … Each possession simply no longer has it 'Air as difficult. You always see attention to you from the defense, but it must be concerned with other things. We meet with the right players in the right places. I have to continue to play aggressive, but earlier in the season, this aggressiveness did not give something as frequently as in the last two games. »»
Stephen Curry in artilleryman, Jimmy Butler as an attacker
Jimmy Butler does not bring to the Warriors the “spacing” desired by so many franchises. But it offers a new polarity to the attack by Steve Kerr, continually positioning itself in the intermediate zone, or to cut towards the circle. By attracting the opposing rear guard closer to the circle, it offers more space behind the arc in Stephen Curry in the moving game of Golden State. And if the most prolific 3-point shooter in history attracts too much attention, Jimmy Butler can sanction himself by his aggressiveness towards the hoop, he who tried 15 free throws on Monday after his 13 Bulls on Saturday.
“” It's partly my job here, attacking, attacking, attacking, attacking Summed the former Heat player. “” Go to the racket, finish the actions when I can and get faults. I have an easy job, I am open very often. They expect to give me the ball in the situations where I am comfortable being simply myself. They remind me of each possession, on both sides of the field. »»
After the pleasure, Jimmy Butler must find his cardio
“” Our performances have made sense until then Stephen Curry said. “” Since the first period in Chicago, six good quarter-time has been produced, with intention, effort. You see everything Jimmy brings on the field, his intelligence, his competitive spirit, he still plays in control. It is always well placed. »»
Next objective for the Warriors, to find ” sixth place From the West Conference, said Steve Kerr. And being able to count on a Jimmy Butler in great shape, he who still sometimes seems a little breathless after a first part of the chopped season.
“My breath is not at all at the level where it should be »Admits Jimmy Butler. “” I can't wait to come back to the physical condition I am used to. I will not miss as many throws (12/15 Monday), I would have more thrust on my suspension shots. For the moment, I'm just out of date, but I'm happy that we win. “” ” It says a lot about how good it is “Rejoices Steph Curry. “” He does not feel himself and he always has an impact on the match. »»
