Jimmy Butler Joins the Warriors: How His Arrival Ignites a New Swagger in Golden State

SAN FRANCISCO — Steph Curry is back with his signature celebration. After hitting a stepback 3-pointer over P.J. Washington, he waved his arms and said, “Night. Night.” It was an unusual moment since there were still nearly three minutes left in the third quarter.

This time, Curry wasn’t worried about celebrating too soon. He had motivation. Just weeks earlier, Washington had copied Curry’s gesture during a game between the Mavericks and the Warriors. Curry remembered how there had been tension since Washington didn’t even play that night. So, when he had the chance, he knew he had to respond.

“The Night-Night stuff is never really predictable,” Curry explained. “It’s just whenever I’m feeling it. And you gotta be good to do it.”

Not long ago, Curry was facing tough situations after disappointing losses. Now, he’s in a place of confidence and swagger, reminiscent of his bold moments during the 2022 NBA Finals.

Much of this change can be credited to Jimmy Butler’s arrival on the team. Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged Butler’s influence, stating, “Jimmy gives us some swagger.”

Draymond Green also seems to feel the energy shift. When he predicted a Warriors championship this season, it reflected a belief shaped by lessons from their past successes and failures. Green and others felt that Butler completed the team after struggling for years to find that missing piece.

“This year, we’ve been close but couldn’t quite get over the hump. The missing piece wasn’t there. That piece is him,” Green said, referring to Butler.

For the Warriors, adding Butler’s talent and fierce attitude was a long time coming. Since Kevin Durant left in 2019, they’ve been searching for the right mix of players to bring this team back to greatness. They had their eyes on several big names but ultimately chose Butler, seeing in him a fire that was essential for their success.

Butler has a history of coming close to titles. He almost led Miami to the championship, known for his tenacity and will to win. Green believes combining Butler’s drive with the existing talent on the Warriors can lead to significant victories.

Since Butler joined, the Warriors have seen a transformation. Their recent games have shown a noticeable improvement in both offense and defense. They boast the sixth-best ratings on both ends of the floor, a jump from their previous rankings.

Butler himself embraces his role within the team, stating, “I see my role clearer than ever.” He believes everyone in the locker room understands their purpose, which creates a team dynamic centered around winning.

The impact of Butler extends beyond the stars of the team. The bench players are thriving too. With Butler bringing energy, young players like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody have stepped up their games. In a recent matchup against the Mavericks, while Curry rested, the Warriors excelled on the court with Butler leading the charge.

Butler’s presence has reinvigorated the entire roster. The Warriors are no longer struggling when their star player is off the floor, flipping their previous minus-90 rating into a positive plus-30 since his arrival.

The changes are palpable, and the excitement around the team reflects a new sense of hope as they move forward in the season.

(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)