Veteran Analyst Issues Challenge to Warriors’ Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler is known as a “playoff riser,” someone who takes his game to a new level during the postseason. Heading into the Golden State Warriors contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, May 10, Butler needs to find that version of himself.

Stephen Curry is out with an injury. As such, Butler will be the featured scorer within Steve Kerr’s offense. Therefore, Butler must showcase the skill set that helped him lead the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals in 2023.

During a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith implored Butler to prove he’s still capable of putting a team on his back.

“Jimmy Butler has got to be good for a game, he’s got to be,” Smith said. “That’s what you got him there for. You got him there for more than that, but especially in a situation like this…Jimmy Butler can’t be shooting 39 percent from the field; he’s got to raise his level of play and be the guy we know him to be come postseason for one game. Because if the reports are right, Steph Curry will be back, hopefully by Game 5, worst-case scenario, Game 6. They’ll either be tied 2-2, hopefully, or even if they’re down 3-2, you’ve got to have a chance. But you’ve got to get a game without Steph Curry.”

Butler has been solid but not spectacular during the opening weeks of the postseason. Now, he must remind the world what he’s capable of when his team’s back is against the wall. The last thing the Warriors can afford to do, is let the Timberwolves take control of the series.

Butler Confident He Can Make An Impact

During a postgame news conference on Thursday, May 8, Butler expressed confidence that he can still flip the switch and take his game to a new level when needed.

“I play basketball the right way,” Butler said. “I will continue to play basketball the right way. If that time comes where (I’m) supposed to score 40 or 43, whatever the case may be, then I’m capable of it. I can do it. But I love making sure that my guys are comfortable passing the ball to them, taking the right shots at the right time.”

Butler is averaging 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He will need to double that points tally if he’s going to help bridge the gap that’s been left behind by Curry’s injury-induced absence.

Butler Believes He Can Thrive Next to Kuminga

In Curry’s absence, Kerr rolled with a 12-man rotation on May 8. Among the players to get an opportunity to impress was Jonathan Kuminga. The explosive forward grabbed his chance with both hands and emerged as one of the Warriors’ most effective players.

When speaking to the media, Butler moved to squash the narrative that he an Kuminga can’t work together in the same rotation.

“I mean, he’s a great basketball player,” Butler said. “I can play with anybody. He can play with anybody. It’s all about playing basketball the right way. It’s all it is, attack to score, attack to pass. You just make the right play over and over and over again every single time, no matter who you’re out there with. Just play basketball the right way, and me and JK could thrive, can, and will thrive together on the basketball floor.”

Golden State needs as many players to step up as possible. If Butler can take his game to a new level, and Kuminga can provide balanced scoring and defense, the Warriors could steal game three. All eyes will be on how Butler approaches this game. After all, Golden State added him to their roster for moments like this. Now, Butler must prove he’s still capable of being an unstoppable force.