The Golden State Warriors have been leaning against Jimmy Butler since trading him, but he was short on the Minnesota Timber Wolves in Game 2.
The Golden State Warriors held their second series in their second game, losing to the Minnesota Timber Wolves 117-93 in their first full playoff game without Stephen Curry.
Curry is clearly the best player on the roster, but they traded with Jimmy Butler’s ultimate buddy. They quickly became the second best player on the team and looked like a seamless fit.
By serving curry in Game 2 and missing at least the next two contests, the Warriors hoped that “Playoff Jimmy” could exude excellence worthy of a $121 million contract extension.
In Game 2, Butler added 17 points, but shot only 46.2% off the field, down from the season average, down from 50.4%. In Game 1 he was even more reliable, making only 35% of his shots.
Throughout the season, Steve Kerr and his team leaned against the group and started the season using a 14-man rotation. When curry comes out, Kerr has a superstar in Butler, but he’s back to that habit.
He needs to play like just one thing.
After Game 2, Butler said “There’s no burden or expectations.” He went on to add that if the team needs to score 40 points on him, he is “capable” it.
With a loss of 24 points in Game 2, the Warriors are safe to say he needs to back up his claims in Games 3 and 4 at home. Curry has been attacking in Golden State for a long time, and Butler is a proven floor general in itself, and must carry the maximum load on both ends of the floor so that Curry does not slip into the 3-1 hole before returning to action.
What’s unknown is that Butler’s injuries, who was injured against the Rockets in Game 2 of the series, have affected him.
When the Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III, Dennis Schroeder and Butler’s first round picks, they needed more than Robin for Curry’s Batman.
Certainly playing Sidekick is something Butler does best, but he put the Miami Heat on his back twice, leading him to an astonishing NBA Finals appearance. Certainly, it was in the weaker Eastern Conference, but he has a track record of being the best playoff riser in the NBA.
So far, he has been completely solid this postseason, but that’s not enough to beat Anthony Edwards. Butler needs to do more, especially in attacks.
“Jimmy Butler can’t shoot 39% off the field,” claimed Stephen A. Smith.
“He has to level up his play, and then become the guy we know and come in the postseason, for one game.
Butler revealed that if the team needed him he could win 40, and Smith challenged him to do it only once in the next two games. That’s what all the Warriors need.