The Golden State Warriors are entering a new era, and head coach Steve Kerr is preparing fans for a different style of basketball. After years of running opponents off the floor, the Warriors will slow things down with Jimmy Butler controlling the tempo.
What Did Steve Kerr Say About Jimmy Butler?
In a recent press conference shared on social media, Kerr outlined how Butler’s arrival will fundamentally alter the team’s approach. The comments came during a media session at Chase Center, as the Warriors prepare for the season ahead.
When asked about who will influence the pace this season, Kerr said, “Yeah, I think Jimmy, frankly, is going to dictate the pace,” pointing directly to the six-time All-Star as the catalyst for Golden State’s new identity.
Kerr acknowledged the shift from last year’s philosophy. The Warriors began the 2024-25 season wanting to be the league’s fastest team, pushing the ball at every opportunity. That plan worked early as Golden State started 12-3 in their first 15 games before consistency issues derailed them.
Now, with Butler on board after the February trade from Miami, Kerr sees a different path forward. The coach expects Butler to dictate the pace, creating a more controlled style of play.
“We’re going to play at a good pace but Jimmy controls the game. And the benefit of that far outweighs playing at a 100 mile an hour speed. Because there’s gonna be a lot of possessions that just end with Jimmy’s getting the ball, isolating, getting fouled, creating a shot for someone.”
Steve Kerr foresees the Warriors playing at a slower pace, in part due to the style of Jimmy Butler:
“We’re going to play at a good pace but Jimmy controls the game. And the benefit of that far outweighs playing at a 100 mile an hour speed.” pic.twitter.com/HcN8yo8MXd
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) October 2, 2025
Anyone who remembers the Warriors in the mid-2010s knows how different this sounds. That team with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry never stopped running. They pushed the ball up the floor every possession, turning games into track meets. Now Kerr is giving Butler full control over the tempo instead of dictating it himself.
“He’s a deliberate player, doesn’t mean he can’t get out and run. But his command of the game just connects the game for us, connects the defence to the offence. So we’ll play fast when we need to, but we’ll play through Jimmy often. And that may mean a little bit more deliberate pace.”
Butler averaged 17.9 points per game in his Warriors debut last season after arriving mid-year. He led the team with 38 points in their play-in victory over Memphis and helped push Golden State past Houston in the first round before they fell to Minnesota.
What Does This Mean for Stephen Curry and the Warriors?
The change could cut both ways for Curry. Having Butler control the game might take some pressure off Curry to orchestrate everything. But it also means adjusting to a slower pace after spending his entire career running.
Curry averaged 24.5 points and 6.0 assists in 70 games last season, including a 56-point explosion against Orlando.
Butler’s style could complement that. He isolates, draws fouls, and creates shots when defenses collapse on him. That takes defensive attention away from Curry and gives him cleaner looks off the ball. Butler’s track record speaks for itself: two NBA Finals appearances and an Eastern Conference Finals MVP in 2023.
Golden State clearly believes in the fit. They gave up Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round pick to get Butler, who signed a two-year, $121 million extension. After going 48-34 and reaching the second round last season, Kerr is betting that Butler’s ability to connect both ends of the floor will matter more than pure speed.
That doesn’t mean the Warriors will stop running entirely. They’ll still push in transition when it makes sense. But expect more half-court offense and fewer chaotic possessions. Kerr thinks Butler’s veteran control is worth more than the breakneck pace that defined the dynasty years, even if it means changing what made them great.
