Ohm Young Misque
CHICAGO — Jimmy Butler took part in the Golden State Warriors debut without going through practice or morning shootaround before facing the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Butler took part in his team’s morning walkthrough as not all players in the five-team nine-player deal that landed him in Golden State on Wednesday completed his body until late Saturday afternoon. They were not allowed to do so. So Butler had to make his Warriors an epic opening, knowing the total three plays that Coach gave him by Director Steve Kerr and some new terminology.
Still, Butler looked like the player the Warriors traded out, but soon offered him a two-year, new two-year, $111 million deal. He made seven of his 12 shots, reaching the foul line 13 times and scored 25 points to help the Warriors overcome a 24-point deficit, losing the Bulls 132-111 at United Center.
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His 25 points were the most debuted by a new team since Kevin Durant in 2016, and the most debuted in his first game by the Warriors.
But according to Kerr, it was something Aura Butler, who might have stood out the most, brought to the warriors.
“I was most impressed with his passing,” Kerr said. “His passing changes everything…skills, strength, ability to reach the free throw line.
“And in the end, it’s beyond that. It’s just his existence. He is a lion. He is a power.”
Even the four-time NBA champions, even Stephen Curry and Draymond Green could feel the influence of Butler. Golden State (26-26) appeared obsessed with a third straight loss, over two quarters. The Bulls (22-31) took an 83-59 lead with 8:30 left in the third quarter.
Butler then reached the foul line for two of his 11 free throws. Shortly afterwards, Curry exploded, scoring 22 points at the final 7:54 of the quarter. By the time Curry filled the fifth three-pointer of the quarter, the Warriors led 97-93 with a 38-10 blitz strength.
“Ahhh, it wasn’t like losing body language,” Green said. “It’s like what you saw this year. We’re coming down and it’s kind of a snake bite mentality. And that’s why we’re back. It’s fine. ”
Green said that Butler’s main reason was the presence of the company. Having six All-Stars gave the Warriors another type of confidence they had lacked throughout the season. Green was asked if Curry and Kerr felt a little more Championship sw walk for their new teammates on Saturday night.
“1 million percent,” Green said. “It’s not necessarily the case that there’s a Championship Swager. There’s a Championship Bloodline. The Championship Swager is something we’re trying to find again.”
And that’s why the Warriors took over Butler. Butler was in a turbulent split with the Miami Heat after six seasons and two appearances in the NBA Finals.
For Butler, this seems to be one of the best spots to jump in his 14th season. The Warriors need all their strengths, including the ability to reach the foul line, create their own shots inside, drive, kick and defend. As the Warriors franchise player pointed out, everything he does best is “opposite” to what Curry does best.
Curry made eight out of 16 3-pointers, but Butler made one attempt over the arc. And while Curry went to the Foul Line eight times, Butler made 13-11 from the stripes, perhaps playing more of the line if he had played more than 29 minutes in his first game since January 21. It must be.
Multiple suspensions by the Heat have led Butler to play in his sixth game since December 20th.
“I’m tired. Very tired,” Butler said afterwards. “Like someone who took a month off. I wasn’t hoping for a month off, but I did a little. I could have done a lot more conditioning, but I could get it back. It’s only a matter of time. “
After the Curry quarter barrage, Butler and Green fueled the Warriors early in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 17 when they checked in with more than seven minutes remaining.
Butler made three of the four shots, including a two-handed dunk, sealing the game in 4/4, 4/4 from the foul line in 4/4.
Kerr said he relies on Butler to help the Warriors close the game.
“Everyone on the roster is constantly saying everyone on the coaching staff (who they are, who they are themselves,” Butler said. “And that’s going to work. ”
“I was trying to do what I thought was right,” he added. Then, “Well, everyone is telling me to be me, so give it a try.”
The only thing that looked different about Butler outside of his conditioning was his jersey.
In addition to wearing a Warriors uniform, he also wears 10th place for Brazilian football star Neymar.
And the name on the back of his jersey is written as “Butler III,” an Ode to his late father. Butler said his father passed away exactly a year ago.
He said Saturday’s game was staged in Chicago where he played his first six seasons with the Bulls and grew into a star – a fitting start to his Warriors career.
“This is where I started my career,” Butler said. “My father passed away today a year ago. Today (and again) is the birthday of one of my very, very good friends.
“Life goes round and it works in the craziest way.”
