Draymond Green called new teammate Jimmy Butler a “franchise changer” after the Warriors withstood a late Rockets rally in Thursday’s win at Houston, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Golden State, which led by as many as 24 points, was only ahead by four when Butler returned to the game with 4:42 remaining. He helped lead a 9-2 run that gave the Warriors a much-needed win heading into the All-Star break.
“He’s a franchise changer,” Green said. “He’s done that everywhere he’s gone and he is helping revitalize what we got here. The belief amongst this team, now that he’s arrived, as opposed to what it was before he got here, it’s night and day.”
Butler was the team’s major addition at last week’s trade deadline after a long search to find another scorer to take some of the burden off Stephen Curry. He contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists on Thursday, as Golden State is now 3-1 in the four games he has played and looks ready to move up the standings after the break ends.
“Jimmy, he’s a real deal,” coach Steve Kerr said. “I mean, just a complete basketball player, methodical, under control all the time, plays at his own pace, never turns it over, sees the game and then can get to the line frequently. Great closer, not in the traditional sense where he’s going to be Kevin Durant and make four straight mid-range jumpers, but it’s more of a complete game. Get to the line, make the right pass, get somebody else an open look, get a defensive stop, get a rebound. He’s a fantastic player.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Ben Simmons had an impressive debut with the Clippers in Thursday’s win at Utah, delivering 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals in 27 minutes off the bench. Coach Tyronn Lue praised the former All-Star for fitting in quickly in his first game with his new team, relays Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter video link). “I thought he did a great job, just reading the game, his IQ, making the right play, aggressive to the basket,” Lue said.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta, made his Clippers debut on Wednesday, per Anthony DeLeon of The Orange County Register. The veteran shooter described the experience as “a new journey” and said he’s excited to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
- Keon Ellis has played an important role in the Kings‘ recent surge, notes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. The third-year guard scored 27 points off the bench in Wednesday’s win over New Orleans.
Kerr replacing Heild in the starting lineup with Podz and Moody is why they won. Buddy is a bench player since he can’t hit any 3 pt shots. Just put him in with the 2nd team when you might need scoring but he is no starter.
Starting Buddy Hield for those few games could’ve been an attempt to get him going. If he shoots the ball well that’s an element of the Warriors attack that would greatly improve their effectiveness. But so far it’s not happening.
Moody played very well last night and if he had hit one or two more three-pointers, he would’ve had a perfect game. Good minutes, good percentages. He even drove to the hole a couple times for buckets. Very glad to see that once in a while !!
He still gets beat by his man on defense, but oh well, he can’t have every skill. As you guys say, it’s his fourth year and he’s still developing.
Well, he needs develop faster feet and lateral quickness on defense somehow magically.
The last 3 games, Moody was effective, I have never seem him play better when the gm mattered. Stackhouse is having impact on him.
If Podski could just hit a few jump shots, he would be crazy awesome. With His hustle and ball handling and drives to the hole with that Euro hesitation pause layup he has, a consistent jumper would surely elevate his effectiveness.
Pods sometimes is too unselfish when Curry is on the court. I notice he goes out of his way to get Curry the ball even when he is wide open for a shot.
I don’t know what Buddy does that Moody doesn’t. Moody should be averaging 35 mins a game, and Buddy should be getting 5-10 until he starts scoring at a better rate than he has been since December. Moody is the most consistent scorer out of Buddy, Podz and himself.
GSW’s best overall rotation is Dray-Kuminga-Jimmy-Moody-Steph. Kerr gets his way because its “smaller” ball without a true big, but Jimmy playing SF at 6’7″ does all the spacing and defensive work needed to do while playing next to Steph, so the SG proper can focus on scoring. Buddy is not doing that right now, but Moody sure is. My biggest worry is how Kerr never ever plays 2 bigs together, when that is clearly the key to beat the Cavs, unleash the Twin Towers rotation Kerr, you coward! Post-Looney-Dray-Jimmy-Steph or Loon-TJD-Dray-Jimmy-Steph!
Hield somehow has to get going even if it’s just for 3 point shooting.
I love how Greymond Green has pumped up Jimmy Butler here. That squashes any notion there could be friction in the locker room.
And if the going gets tough, they’ll only double down and get tougher. They realize they’re in their mid 30s and there’s no time for squabbling.
It’s time to put their heads together and team up to form a strong winning union. Greymond talking like this definitely supports that notion 100%.
Dray has no problem moving down in the peck order for “Playoff” Butler who is still top 10 player in the league. Butler is capble of carrying the team even if Curry gets injured. Playoff here we come!
Jimmy/Steph/Dray in the playoffs is going to be so good, I cannot wait!
However, the depth went from the biggest strength to an area that could use some upgrades. GSW has $1.3M to spend on the buyout market on 2 guys that they must fill by next week, its fairly important to fill those 2 spaces with at least 1 big. I would see if anyone had any experience playing with Jimmy already and prioritize. Hyping “You get to play in the playoffs with Steph/Jimmy” might get some ring chasers knocking on their door – hungry players only!!!
Kuminga will also help!
Get an Andrew Bogut equivalent (if there is any) as a post defender, and Warriors are set