The Golden State Warriors` performance on Thursday night served as a stark reminder of Stephen Curry`s crucial value, potentially proving his case for NBA MVP. Without him, they appeared completely lost, even incompetent at times, suffering a decisive 117-93 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2.
The series is now level at 1-1 as it shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Curry will not be available for that game either, and is expected to remain sidelined through at least Game 5. This means Golden State must secure a victory in one of the next three contests just to keep their season alive until Curry`s potential return.
The team`s chances likely hinge on the player commonly referred to as `Jimmy Buckets` finally stepping up. In Game 2, however, Jimmy Butler continued his role primarily as a `connector`, attempting only nine shots through the first three quarters. This was despite the Warriors` urgent need for him to increase his scoring output, or at least make a stronger attempt, given Curry`s absence.
Even the nine shots Butler took often seemed forced, coming either as the shot clock expired or when the Timberwolves defense left him with no other option, like a wide-open three-pointer. While facilitating for teammates is valuable, Butler frequently borders on passing off offensive responsibility to players less equipped to handle it creatively, seemingly to avoid taking contested shots himself.
Even in Game 1, where Butler posted a respectable 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, his scoring was largely circumstantial, more the result of opportunistic plays – drawing a late-clock foul here, cutting open there.
When presented with less obvious scoring opportunities, Butler tends to defer. He might pass the ball out 20 feet to someone like Kevon Looney at the three-point line late in the shot clock rather than attempt a potentially contested shot himself. This contrasts with Buddy Hield, who actively sought out and successfully made crucial shots in both Game 1 of this series and Game 7 against the Rockets.
One could argue Butler created opportunities for those shots, or that Hield simply showed the initiative Butler lacked. The reality likely lies somewhere in between.
Overall, Butler`s arrival from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline has had an undeniably positive effect on the Warriors, transforming them into a different team. However, the well-deserved praise for this impact has largely diverted attention from his striking reluctance to shoot, and score generally, often waiting until all other, less optimal options have been explored.
This phenomenon of Butler`s passivity isn`t entirely new. About five weeks after the trade deadline, CBS Sports` Colin Ward-Henninger wrote about it, referencing Butler`s quote to reporters: “When it`s my time, you`ll know it`s my time.”
This leads to the crucial question: if Game 2 of the conference semifinals with Stephen Curry sidelined isn`t considered `time`, then when exactly will it be? Theories abound regarding this recent, prominent scoring reluctance from Butler. While not entirely sudden – he`s always been calculated and selective, sometimes bordering on hesitant – historically, he possessed the ability to push past his comfort zone and aggressively seek offense in critical moments.
“I don`t have a burden or expectation. I play basketball the right way,” Butler said after Game 2. “I will continue to play basketball the right way. If that time comes where your people that are saying whatever, supposed to score 40 or whatever the case may be. I`m capable of it. I can do it. But I love making sure my guys are comfortable. Passing the ball to them.”
So, according to him, he can simply go out and score 40 points for an offense struggling significantly without Curry, but chooses not to because he prefers passing? That statement sounds quite hard to believe, bordering on ridiculous.
Hopefully, his comments were simply phrased poorly. It`s more plausible that there`s another explanation for his lack of scoring aggression. Perhaps the pelvis and gluteal contusion he sustained in the first round is still impacting him? Or maybe he`s deliberately pacing himself, knowing he might only have one or two high-scoring outbursts left without Curry drawing defensive attention, and is saving those efforts for the crucial Game 3 or 4 at Chase Center, where they might have a better chance of securing a win.
Or, and consider this possibility, is it simply that he is no longer capable of being that dominant offensive force?
Butler has consistently emphasized his role as `Robin` to Curry`s `Batman`, mentioning it frequently. Perhaps he`s subtly trying to convey something. If so, it`s understandable. At 35, he has accumulated considerable mileage on his body from deep playoff runs. Nicknames like `Jimmy Buckets` can sustain expectations long after a player`s peak has passed, much like how people might cling to the image of `Larry Legend` even as Larry Bird aged.
Butler remains, without question, a very good player – even a great one when in the ideal context, which he seemingly found alongside Curry on the Warriors. Together, they form what many consider the league`s premier duo right now. However, if the Warriors hope to see this partnership back on the court again this season, Butler must push beyond his current approach and attempt to tap into whatever remains of his former offensive capabilities.
Jasper Hawthorne