Jimmy Butler smiled from ear to ear Thursday during his introductory news conference with the Warriors, and understandably so. Barely a month ago, Butler admittedly lost his “joy” for basketball and wasn’t sure if he’d ever find it again, especially as a member of the Heat.
Given his many past transgressions, few were willing to sympathize with Butler. As is well documented, the veteran wing clashed with teammates in Chicago and Minnesota and had issues with head coach Brett Brown in Philadelphia before his publicized feud with the Heat.
As the common denominator in all those spats, Butler was reminded that was the problem, not the teams he clashed with. That’s why several teams were reportedly hesitant to trade for him, with even the Warriors having “reservations” before taking the plunge.
Butler is grateful to the Warriors for taking a chance on him.
“I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be wanted again,” Butler said. “I’ve got a feeling I’m [going to] be back, in a big way, too. So I’m smiling… I know that I have my joy back now. I’m in a different situation, different group of guys.”
Butler said he reveres the Warriors more because of their dynastic runs over the past decade. The 35-year-old made it clear that he considers himself a winner, highlighting his two runs to the NBA Finals as a member of the Heat.
“I would like to say that I am a winner. I haven’t won it, but I would like to call myself a winner. I do want to win it — it being a championship.”
As intriguing as a Big Three of Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green sounds, oddsmakers don’t consider the Warriors a legitimate threat to win the NBA title. Perhaps the naysayers will propel Butler to prove them wrong like he’s done countless times in his career.
