The Golden State Warriors are battling for playoff supremacy as the end of the season nears. Currently, in the sixth seed, the Warriors have high hopes for the playoffs since the addition of Jimmy Butler. Despite the recent loss to the Houston Rockets, the Warriors have improved at every facet of the game with Butler.
The Warriors put together their most impressive stretch of the year recently, beating the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Denver Nuggets. Those three teams are currently in the hunt for playoff spots alongside the Warriors.
With the pressure on for all the teams currently ranked third through eighth in the Western Conference, many are wondering how much Butler can elevate the Warriors when playoffs time comes.
Warriors Insider Delivers Take About Jimmy Butler
The Warriors media is interesting.
For Anthony Slater, he’s typically just reporting the news about the Warriors, but he decided to get in on the discussion, pointing out some of Jimmy Butler’s alleged deficiencies as a scorer in Golden State’s offense.
"[Jimmy]'s older. He doesn't have that pop and lift to the rim. He's hesitant at times to take challenge shots in traffic against size…The jumper just hasn't been there…He's never been your traditional superstar scorer."
– @anthonyVslater on the Jimmy Butler the Warriors… pic.twitter.com/ObiOGkJzYa
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 8, 2025
“Jimmy’s older. He doesn’t have that pop and lift to the rim. He’s hesitant at times to take challenge shots in traffic against size…The jumper just hasn’t been there… He’s never been your traditional superstar scorer.”
While it is true that Butler is unlike other dynamic scorers like his current teammate Stephen Curry or someone like Kevin Durant, Butler still knows how to deliver. Butler is notorious for waiting until the playoffs to kick his work ethic on the court into overdrive. Could this be the case again this year?
Will Butler Help The Warriors Secure A Title?
Butler’s numbers this season don’t jump off the page, but his impact has been so valuable to the Warriors. Averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists a game this year, Butler has managed to find a comfortable role with the Warriors. It is expected that Butler will begin to raise his level of offensive play as the playoffs approach.
To Slater’s earlier point, Butler has been more passive in the Warriors offense, but he’s still able to score at will when he needs to. When the playoffs hit, you could see a much more aggressive Butler when on the floor. That’s what it will take for the Warriors to be able to win.
Could we see the Warriors reach the promised land as Butler turns things up? Will Curry and Butler become the most unstoppable duo in the playoffs? That remains to be seen.