LOS ANGELES – The Warriors built their dynasty on Steph Curry’s perpetual, uncontainable motion and quick-trigger shooting, on Draymond Green’s frenetic defensive rotations and an intensity that has burned unabated for 14 years.
Coach Steve Kerr calls it “chaos,” the unpredictable philosophy that has produced four titles and iconic moments over an eight-year span.
And yet, it is Jimmy Butler’s methodical execution of a pick-and-roll, his total stillness at the free-throw line, that could end up defining the Warriors’ season.
“He provides that stability,” Kerr said. “We’ve always been at our best when we can provide the support for Draymond and Steph’s chaos with some stability, and that’s what Andre Igoudala and Shaun Livingston did, because that chaos is really powerful, but it can also get away from us. Jimmy just settles us down.”
Butler poured in 31 points and made all 16 of his free throws in Golden State’s 119-109 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles.
In crunch time, stability teamed with chaos to close out the Lakers as LeBron James watched from his seat on the sideline.
In the final minutes, Butler repeatedly ran the pick-and-roll with Curry as the screener, bringing back memories of when Kevin Durant would activate the league’s deadliest play a decade ago.
Now, with Butler having enjoyed a full offseason with the team after being acquired in a blockbuster February trade, the remix looked just as effective.
“You always have to be aware of where Steph is on the floor, whether he’s a screener off the ball or on the ball,” Butler said. “Two people are going to be guarding him at some point, maybe even three. You just have to make the right read.”
Even when one of the two future Hall of Famers would not score, it created space for others. Gary Payton II got a wide-open layup thanks to Butler and Curry drawing all 10 defensive eyeballs away from the weakside.
When asked about what made that particular play so effective, Kerr almost laughed, the answer blatantly obvious.
“Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler … two of the best players in the league,” Kerr said, later adding. “You put your two best players in a play, and both guys made big shots, big plays.”
On a team full of unpredictable forces, Butler’s measured pace is appreciated.
His prolific performance at the line was nothing out of the ordinary for a player who already averaged 7.7 free-throw attempts a game for the team last season and routinely hit double-digit tries. When the offense bogged down, Butler shooting two was often the solution.
Butler’s style resembled that of patient boxer Floyd Mayweather far more than lightning-quick Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, both of whom were courtside.
He kept the Warriors’ sputtering first-half offense, one that had 13 turnovers, afloat with 10 trips to the foul line.
He drove through Rui Hachimura, 7-footer Deandre Ayton and anyone else who stood in his way. Butler’s 16 makes without a miss were second-most in franchise history, behind only the great Rick Barry’s 18 in 1975.
Always mindful about every player’s role on the team, Curry made sure to emphasize that those trips to the stripe were not just a result of any one person’s individual brilliance.
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“It is hard to create fouls out of nothing, it has to be off of good action that creates either a mismatch or an advantage,” Curry said. “He takes advantage of those opportunities.”
His team-first ethos has extended beyond the court. Once scrutinized for his public contract disputes and spats with teams, he has found a kindred spirit with the oft-criticized Jonathan Kuminga.
Butler has taken Kuminga under his wing, giving him advice after practice and consistently working with the young player on the side.
“I feel like, in this league, he’s one of the people that has actually been in my shoes throughout their career, and know what I’ve been going through,” Kuminga said.
It is only one game, but if Butler remains healthy and provides this level of production in multiple facets, the Warriors’ ability to grit out games can only rise.
