The Golden State Warriors got their season off to a strong start with a 119-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Jimmy Butler was arguably the Warriors’ best player. He controlled the tempo, was aggressive when getting downhill, and dominated at the free-throw line, where he went 16-of-16.
During his postgame news conference, Butler revealed a bet he has with Draymond Green, with the stipulation being that he ends the season with a better free-throw percentage than Stephen Curry.
“I got a bet with— I don’t think it’s a bad bet, but it’s kind of a bad bet—with Dre (Draymond Green) that I got to shoot a better percentage than number 30 on our team,” Butler said. “Of course, I think I can… I shot double the amount that he did, too. So I think I can do it. If he goes eight for eight, I should be able to go 16 for 16 most nights. Every night.”
Last season, Butler shot 84.2% from the free-throw line. His best season at the charity stripe came in 2022, when he went 87% on eight attempts per night. So, in order to win his bet with Green, Butler will likely need to have a career year at the line, which, judging by his performance against the Lakers, may not be impossible to imagine.
Steve Kerr Praises Jimmy Butler’s Performance
When speaking to the media following the Warriors’ Oct. 21 win over the Lakers, Steve Kerr praised Kuminga’s performance, noting how he provided some much-needed balance to the rotation.
“He provides that stability, the ability to get fouled and go to the line and settle the game down,” Kerr said of Butler. “He never turns the ball over, so he just controls the game out there for us. And we need that. We’ve always been at our best when we can provide the support for Draymond and Steph’s chaos with some stability.”
Kerr continued.
“That’s what Andre (Iguodala) did. Sean Livingston. Because the chaos is really powerful, but it can also get away from us. And Jimmy just settles us down. And I thought he did a great job of that tonight.”
Butler has been a highly impactful member of the Warriors’ rotation since joining the franchise ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline last season. Of course, the hope will be that he can continue making that level of impact once we’re deeper into the season and into the playoffs.
Butler Will Have A Huge Role To Play For Warriors
Butler is the ideal addition to the Warriors’ roster. His aggressive style of play means Golden State can now attack the space that Stephen Curry provides when on the floor. There is a more direct option when trying to pressure the rim and attack a rotating defense.
Furthermore, Butler’s playmaking ability ensures the ball continues to move in true Warriors’ fashion. Therefore, his fit within the rotation should continue to pay dividends as the current roster gets up to game speed and the new additions get accustomed to their new teammates and surroundings.
Of course, Butler’s overall impact will be judged at the end of the campaign, especially if Kerr’s team can make a push for a championship.
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