When the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler, there was widespread concern that he and Draymond Green would struggle to reconcile in the locker room. Over time, however, winning became the best glue, eliminating all worries.
“People have been wondering if Draymond and Butler will have a conflict,” Shams said in the report. How do they get along and can they coexist? But what I’ve heard is that the two have bonded, built a strong relationship, and become a powerful driving force for the Warriors. There’s a funny story, Steph Curry had a birthday party, the whole team went to the party, the party went on until 2 or 3 in the morning, and the last three people left you guess who? Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. They talk, they build rapport, they play cards, and the chemistry is spreading from off the court to on the court, and they are always smiling during the game, and they form a unity as a group.”
There were concerns about Kuminga’s compatibility with Butler after his comeback, but such concerns proved to be overblown. “When everyone wants everyone else to succeed, you don’t mess anything up,” Butler said in an interview. We don’t have individualists here. I would go up to Kuminga and tell him, ‘Be yourself, be yourself, be yourself. ‘He’s been playing his way for a while now and I want him to continue that way more than anyone. Play your familiar style of play, and I and others will make sure that the way we play matches yours.”
Green also addressed this point: “I’ve said before that I was never worried about his compatibility with Jimmy. Jimmy is a very smart player and JK (Kuminga) is a very talented player. When intelligence meets talent, they always find a way to coexist.”
