The Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry Pairing Came Too Late

“Welcome to the wild, wild west where the dogs don’t sleep, and the sun don’t set.” Those were the opening lyrics to the song Jimmy Butler posted on social media moments after he was traded to Golden State last season. The Warriors had been on a downward spiral. So, the front office was searching for a star to maximize the final years of Curry’s championship quest.

The link-up between Stephen Curry and Butler reignited their fire for basketball again.

Butler maneuvered his way out of Miami and inked the contract extension he was looking for with the Warriors. Curry was re-energized and primed to fight harder than ever, knowing that his championship window had been reopened. Butler rekindled his joy once he joined the Warriors, simultaneously sparking Curry with that same joy along the way.

Butler exceeded all expectations upon his arrival. The team couldn’t have imagined a better fit so fast, particularly with Curry. The two attributed the seamless pairing to their polar-opposite games being complementary.

The instant chemistry between the two is what makes Butler’s ACL tear such a tough pill to swallow. In the aftermath of Butler’s season-ending injury, one thing is obvious: Curry and Butler should have been paired together sooner.

On-Court Production

Butler helped balance out Curry’s dynamic offensive play-style by offering a slower, calmer presence. In games in which Curry and Butler have both played, the Warriors have a record of 42-18.

Butler, a career 33% shooter from three, found a stroke this season, shooting 37.6% in 38 games. He held the highest plus-minus on the team, demonstrating his tremendous impact. He also averaged 20 points on just under 52% from the field, and was second in team free-throw percentage at 86.4%. Additionally, he was 14th amongst all players in the biggest on/off-court net rating swing.

But what made him so essential to the Warriors wasn’t his efficiency; it was his exemplary fit alongside Curry. Normally, it takes players time to get acclimated after arriving at a new team, especially one with a unique system like the Warriors. Butler confessed to needing more time to get into game shape and learn the team’s plays following his debut with the Warriors last season. But he slotted alongside Curry with ease almost immediately.

His IQ and basketball versatility allowed him to thrive as a help-side defender, scorer, isolation shot maker, and ball-handler. He could read when to set and slip screens and move off the ball, skills which take teammates months to master.

He allowed Curry to relax, as he held down the fort while running the bench unit. As a former Clutch Player of the Year candidate, Butler continued his strong play down the stretch of close games. He ranked ninth in the NBA in clutch offensive rating this season – the only Warrior to crack the top 10.

The Warriors Miss Jimmy

Adjusting to life without Butler remains a work in progress. Coach Steve Kerr specifically notes the extra burden placed on Curry without his right-hand man.

“It definitely puts a lot more stress on Steph’s shoulders not having Jimmy next to him to create shots, to take over the offense when needed, so we have to account for that,” Kerr stated.

De’Anthony Melton understands that no singular player can replace Butler, as his impact went beyond any stat sheet.

“When somebody like Jimmy goes down, it’s tough to pick up what he was doing. He did so much on the court, not just putting up points, rebounds, or assists, but just his leadership. He’s a two-way player that gets it done,” he said.

Curry Copes

Butler’s ACL tear was a stab in the heart to a team that was trending upwards. The Warriors were 12-4 in the month before Butler’s injury, and had a true chance at a guaranteed playoff spot.

The stunning Butler news is something Curry still hasn’t been able to grapple with.

“I don’t think I’ve stopped thinking about it since he got hurt, to be honest,” Curry admitted.

He knows this season was possibly their last shot at a title. The promising end-of-season run the Warriors went on last year offered hope that they could reach the mountaintop. Hope that is now on indefinite pause.

When asked if Curry was content with the current state of the Warriors, he offered up a blunt response.

“No,” he refuted. “I’d rather have Jimmy Butler playing basketball. But it’s our hurdle to overcome as a team. Three weeks ago, we were headed in a different direction. The record scratched and stopped, and now you’re trying to figure out how to get it going again.”

Curry and Butler’s Relationship

Curry knew what Butler was capable of, even before playing a single game together.

“When the stakes get higher, he rises to the occasion,” Curry said after the Butler trade last season. “He’s a dog. He’s a winner.”

Despite being teammates for just one year, the two grew close. Both shared a mutual respect for the other on and off the court. Butler commended the way Curry carried himself away from basketball, and Curry appreciated his co-star’s unwavering support.

Just days before undergoing surgery two weeks ago, Butler made an appearance at the premiere of Curry’s new movie, GOAT. Instead of resting up, Butler was there on crutches with a torn ACL.

Partners in Crime

Curry’s alma mater, the Davidson Wildcats, held a ceremony in December to unveil an Interstate sign in Curry’s name. And Butler was right there in attendance to cheer him on and watch the ceremony. He even stayed for the end of the game, which went into double overtime.

On the court, Butler graciously accepted his role as second fiddle in the Curry-led orchestra. Curry reciprocated by making sure Butler always got his flowers.

After Charles Barkley undermined Butler’s talent following the Warriors’ playoff victory against the Rockets, Curry stood up for his partner in crime.

“He’s not as great as you, but he’s a really nice second closer to have on the team, correct?” Barkley asked postgame.

“Jimmy’s nice. Don’t get that twisted,” Curry clapped back.

The two fully trusted and believed in each other, no matter what. That’s also why Curry picked Butler (out of anyone in NBA history) as the player he would choose to make a game-winning shot.

Needed More Time

Thankfully, this may not officially be the end of the Butler and Curry era just yet. Butler penned a heartfelt letter to Warrior’s season ticket holders, seemingly confirming that he will remain a member of the team. In the letter, Butler also re-expressed his love for playing next to Curry and affirmed his unwavering belief that he will make a comeback.

For two stars who elevate to the top of their games as the lights get brighter, one playoff series together will never be enough. In a torturous world of what-ifs, Butler and Curry could have wreaked havoc against the league’s best for years.

But the NBA is filled with lingering hypotheticals that go unanswered; that’s what makes the wild wild west so unpredictable. For now, Butler refuses to go down without a fight, as he powers through a treacherous ACL recovery process. The sun hasn’t officially set on their time as teammates, but there’s no guarantee they will pick up right where they left off.

Regardless of what their future holds, they should have been teammates a long time ago. There’s no telling what they could have accomplished.

The post The Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry Pairing Came Too Late appeared first on The Lead.

The Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry Pairing Came Too Late

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