Dub Hub: Draymond Green calls Jimmy Butler the Warriors’ ‘missing piece’ for a championship

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Tuesday, February 25th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Draymond Green calls Jimmy Butler their “missing piece” for a championship in the latest article from The Athletic.
• In an interview on 95.7 The Game, Steve Kerr explains why he doesn’t like to compare Jimmy Butler to Andrew Wiggins.
• Lakers’ Luka Doncic will play the Mavs in Los Angeles for the first time since the blockbuster trade.

Since Jimmy Butler’s arrival, the Golden State Warriors have surged to a 5-1 record, and their fiery leader, Draymond Green, believes it’s no coincidence. In an interview with The Athletic, Green made it clear that Butler is the missing piece that the team has been lacking.

Via the Athletic:

“I just know what it looks like,” Green told The Athletic when asked to explain his proclamation. “This team all year has been kind of like, ‘Man, we’re right there, but can’t quite get over the hump.’ But there’s a reason that you feel like you’re right there, but can’t quite get over.

“And the reason I think we all thought we couldn’t quite get over was because there was a missing piece. That piece isn’t missing anymore. That piece is him.”

The Warriors spent much of the season struggling with consistency. They’ve hovered around .500 with flashes of high-level play mixed in with some very sloppy performances. However, since Butler joined the lineup, the team has looked rejuvenated, finding a new level of defensive intensity and offensive execution.

Butler’s ability to create his own shot, facilitate for teammates, and bring an edge on both ends of the floor has seemingly unlocked Golden State’s potential, just in time for the stretch run of the regular season.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, February 25th:

Warriors News:

Jimmy Butler-Warriors union has immaculate early vibes: ‘Jimmy gives us some swagger’ | The Athletic

Before Butler arrived, Green had a standing request of the team’s front office that he deemed vital to their renaissance: Go get another “a–hole,” as one team source described it. Another fiery, two-way talent like him who would say what needed to be said at all times and compete on the knife’s edge on both ends of the floor.

Charania: Butler feels Warriors franchise better than previous teams | NBC Sports Bay Area

“I’m telling you it’s different this time,” Charania said. “I haven’t sensed the same feeling he’s had when he went to Philly, when he went to Miami. This is different for Jimmy Butler going to Golden State. He’s staying late for shootaround. He’s staying late for practices. He’s spending so much time in the training room, the meal room.

“He’s going above and beyond to ingratiate himself with the Warriors right now.”

Steve Kerr doesn’t like to compare Jimmy Butler to Andrew Wiggins

ESPN’s Tim Legler explains the impact Jimmy Butler has had on the Warriors

Andre Iguodala at the end of his jersey retirement speech: “This is the beginning of the Steph Curry celebration”

NBA News:

Edwards caps Wolves’ comeback with clutch block vs. Thunder | ESPN

Gilgeous-Alexander had 39 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, but Edwards blocked him at the rim with 13.2 seconds left in overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander also missed a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left in the extra period that would have tied the score.

The Timberwolves were trailing by as many as 16 points in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. They are only the second team in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to win after trailing by at least that many points with that little time left in regulation, according to ESPN Research. The Bucks did it against the Raptors on Jan. 4, 2023 after trailing by 21 in the final four minutes.

Lakers confident Luka Dončić ready for 1st game vs. Mavericks since trade | NBA

Just over three weeks after the trade that stunned the sports world, Luka Dončić and his Los Angeles Lakers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night (10 ET, TNT).

Dončić’s new teammates and coaches all believe he’ll be ready and eager for this quick showdown with the team that abruptly shipped him out of the city where he earned five All-NBA selections, where he led last season’s squad to the NBA Finals after winning the scoring title — and where he expected to spend the rest of his career.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Every day that he’s been with us, it’s becoming just a little bit more normal. I’ve been there. The first time you play your old team, particularly this close in time duration, it’s going to be weird. But he’ll be able to handle it.”

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic records a career-high 19 assists in 125-116 win vs. Pacers

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

How trust allowed Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green to distrust the Mavericks’ offense

On paper, Butler and Green had the makings of a terrifying defensive pairing. Both are highly versatile and can wear multiple hats. They can defend at the point of attack and are able to switch up and down the positional spectrum. But both are arguably at their best when they roam like free safeties, pick off wantonly thrown passes, and act as the last line of defense as helpers. Their ability to shift from one role to another allows them to play off of each other naturally — and affords them the luxury of trust.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.