Five wins in their last six outings have quickly changed the outlook of the Golden State Warriors’ season. Since Jimmy Butler was added to a roster that already boasted Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Steve Kerr’s team has taken its production to another level.
The Warriors defend with intensity and aggression, run the floor with purpose and poise and, most importantly, play as a collective and seek to get the best out of each other.
Butler’s addition was supposed to elevate the Warriors. He’s an All-NBA-caliber player who filled a position of need, and his skill set complements what Curry brings to the floor. However, the team’s rapid gelling has taken people by surprise.
During a recent interview with Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Butler addressed Green’s recent guarantee that Golden State will win the 2025 championship.
“I don’t pay attention to social (media), so I didn’t know that (Green) said that,” Butler said. “But we do have a chance. And the reason why is not because I’m here. It’s not because of the energy that I may or may not bring. It’s because everybody thinks that we can win. That’s all that matters.”
Curry and Green are four-time champions, and Kerr has won multiple rings as a player and a coach. The Warriors’ locker room has a know-how that gives them a genuine advantage once they get deep into the playoffs. Factor in Butler’s never-say-die attitude, and there’s a clear recipe for success.
Self-belief can be a powerful thing. With the talent Golden State has at its disposal, its growing level of confidence could help power it to success — whether that be a deep postseason run or a championship.
Butler’s arrival has restored Golden State’s swagger. The Warriors are closing the gap between themselves and the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 6 seed, which now stands at 1.5 games. They’re playing like they believe they’re favorites in every game. The last time we saw this level of confidence from the Warriors was in 2022, the last time they won a championship.
The Warriors are aging. They have a reason to be playing with urgency and determination. Curry and Co. might not be favorites to come out of the West, but based on recent performances, it would be wise not to count them out too quickly.
