The Golden State Warriors dropped to .500 on Friday night after a crushing 127–123 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers — and the postgame comments revealed two competing narratives inside the locker room.
Star forward Jimmy Butler delivered a blunt and harsh assessment of the Warriors’ defense, saying the team “isn’t guarding anybody.” Head coach Steve Kerr disagreed, insisting Golden State’s issues are more about offense than effort on the defensive end.
The Warriors have now lost three straight and continue to search for answers as they plummet down the Western Conference standings.
Jimmy Butler Calls Out Warriors’ Defense After Third Straight Loss
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images Jimmy Butler calls out the Golden State Warriors’ defense again.
Butler, who joined Golden State in a blockbuster deal last season, didn’t hold back while evaluating why the team lost to Portland.
“We’re just not guarding anybody,” Butler said. “From what I can tell, I haven’t been here long, but that’s never been the formula here. Not to win a championship. You’ve got to take each and every matchup personally… we’ve got to do way better guarding on that side of the ball.”
Butler emphasized that the Warriors lacked a defensive identity and allowed Portland to score however they wanted.
“You’re not taking anything away,” he added. “You’re not taking the paint away. You’re not taking away layups, free throws, lobs, threes… tonight they were getting whatever shot they wanted.”
The six-time All-Star hasn’t been shy about his leadership style, and Friday was another example of his direct approach.
Steve Kerr Pushes Back: ‘Our Defense Has Actually Been Pretty Good’
Kerr, however, saw the game through a very different lens. He argued that Golden State’s defense was not the primary issue — second-chance points were.
“I think overall our defense has actually been pretty good,” Kerr said. “Tonight, what really hurt us was the second-chance opportunities.”
Portland won the offensive rebounding battle by 12, converting it into a 28–10 advantage in second-chance points.
Kerr said Golden State adjusted by going bigger as the game progressed, citing the rotations that included Al Horford, Quinten Post, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Despite the loss, Kerr said he wasn’t concerned about the team’s defensive foundation.
“We’re going to be just fine defensively,” he said. “I’m more worried about our offense right now. There’s not a whole lot of rhythm, not a lot of flow.”
Kerr believes that more practice time will help them clean up their issues.
Butler Says Winning Requires Accountability: ‘You Always Have to Be Able to Guard’
Butler noted that the offense alone cannot carry Golden State, even with Stephen Curry erupting for 38 points in his return from injury.
“We can beat individuals on some nights when we’re scoring,” Butler said. “But you can’t always bank on shots going in. You always have to be able to guard.”
He warned that until the team takes defense personally, results won’t change.
“Until we get back to guarding… we’re going to be in some funk for a while,” Butler said. “But I think we can snap out of it.”
He challenged teammates to show who is ready to compete during upcoming practices.
“Do some closeout drills, play some one-on-one, see who’s really got what.”
Warriors at a Crossroads
Golden State’s stars were productive statistically — Curry scored 38 points, and Draymond Green posted 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists — but both finished at minus-3 in plus/minus. Butler, who scored 20 points despite missing 10 shots, was the only starter not in the negative.
As the Warriors continue to sink in the Western Conference, the tension between Kerr’s optimism and Butler’s blunt urgency may define the direction of their season.
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