Jimmy Butler has been called many things throughout his career, most famously the NBAs ultimate bridge-burner, but the new Golden State Warriors forward insists hes not lighting matches for fun. Hes simply enforcing a standard. And that standard has never changed.
Im always about winning, winning at all costs, Butler told NBC Sports Bay Area. So, when it doesnt stay about winning, it can become about many different things. If it aint about winning, Im telling yall right now, Im not here for it. Its got to be about winning. Everything we do, its got to be about winning.
Butlers rsum across Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Miami is littered with tension, conflict and abrupt exits. He never flat-out said those teams were complacent, but he didnt have to. The implication was loud enough. Hes now in Golden State because he sees an organizational obsession that mirrors his own.
General manager Mike Dunleavy explained the February acquisition, telling NBC Sports Bay Area, We had to get better on the basketball court. But we needed to get better, emotionally. Wed lost our way. And to be able to accomplish those two things, theres not many players out there that can do that. And I felt like Jimmy was one of those guys.
Butler, who twice dragged the Heat to the NBA Finals, left Miami after friction with Pat Riley and a contract dispute. Now hes making it clear: the Warriors culture must match the intensity that has defined his entire career.
If its about winning, if its about winning it the championship Im all for it, Butler said. If its not, and there are any other agendas, yall wont like it. Because I dont care. Im literally just here to win. Thats it. I dont care about anything else.
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