Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler recently spoke on the difficulties the team faced with superstar Stephen Curry injured.
Warriors: Jimmy Butler preaches Steph Curry’s importance
According to Marca.com, Butler had this to say after the Curry-less Warriors lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday:
“Like I’ve said time and time again, when you don’t got 30 and you dig yourself a hole like that, it gets very, very, very hard to come back,” he remarked. “Curry’s gravity changes everything,” Butler stated. “Without him, everyone has to work twice as hard just to get the same looks.”
Warriors need Curry at critical juncture of season
It has taken two for the Warriors to tango since Butler was acquired at the trade deadline. Golden State has gone 16-4 with the Marquette product in town. Though, two of those four losses have come when he or Curry has sat.
Thus, the Warriors’ pendulum swings favorably when at full strength, while exposing weaknesses in their depth when shorthanded. Such was rarely the case in previous seasons for the dynastic Warriors over the last decade.
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Butler (25 points) got help from Moses Moody (20 pts), Brandin Podziemski (19 pts), and Jonathan Kuminga (16 pts) in the 124-115 loss to the Hawks. Though, Golden State losing the assists battle 37-28, coupled with their poor interior defense, contributed to their defeat.
Thus, the Warriors (41-30) will need their best playmaker to return speedily as they look to close out the regular season on a high note. Golden State has a narrow 0.5-game lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.
