Differences Spotlighted: Steve Kerr Compares Jimmy Butler Era to Splash Brothers Era of the Warriors
Revamped Warriors Dominate the Court
The NBA landscape is evolving, and the Golden State Warriors' coach, Steve Kerr, acknowledges this shift. With the first round of the playoffs kicking off, Kerr couldn't help but compare this team, led by Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, to the Splash Brothers era.
Kerr noticed a stark difference in the style of play between the two eras.
"We don't need to generate as much off-ball movement now, and it's an incredible luxury because playoff defenses are locked in," Kerr said via ESPN. "With Jimmy, you don't need off-ball stuff. You can just get him the ball, get spaced, and when the game's on the line, Jimmy is an unparalleled option."
The Warriors are eyeing one last championship, and their approach to the game is noticeably distinct from the past.
Adapting to the New Normal
The Splash Brothers era was defined by its reliance on rapid ball movement, pick-and-roll actions, and transition three-pointers. However, the current team boasts a more physical, half-court style, with a focus on isolation scoring, post-ups, and drawing fouls. Butler's presence accentuates these aspects, slowing the pace of the game to maximize physical mismatches.
Defensively, the Warriors have undergone a transformation, with Butler's lockdown perimeter defense and high-energy play anchoring a grittier identity. Without Butler, they have relied on young talents like Jonathan Kuminga to maintain their hybrid approach blending Butler's physicality with remnants of the motion offense.
In Game 3, stopping Jalen Green was key to the Warriors' victory. "We let Jalen get going a little bit, and he got free to space," Curry said via NBC Sports. "We gotta figure out a way to control where he is on the floor." Green's momentum-shifting three-pointers emphasized this need for improved defensive focus.
The Warriors will aim to build upon this defensive effort when they face the Rockets in Game 4. With the playoffs in full swing and questions surrounding their playstyle, one thing is clear: the Warriors are determined to continue their championship run.
- The Warriors, under the guidance of coach Steve Kerr, are aiming for one last NBA championship, showcasing a distinctly different style of play from their Splash Brothers era, focusing on isolation scoring, post-ups, and drawing fouls.
- Kerr acknowledged a stark difference in the style of play, highlighting that their current team doesn't need as much off-ball movement, as playoff defenses are locked in, allowing for easier scoring opportunities with Jimmy Butler.
- Defensively, the Warriors have undergone a transformation, with Butler's lockdown perimeter defense and high-energy play anchoring a grittier identity, complemented by the sustained hybrid approach featuring the physicality of younger talents like Jonathan Kuminga.
- In Game 3, the Warriors' victory hinged on improving their defensive focus, especially in containing Jalen Green, whose momentum-shifting three-pointers highlighted the need for more control in his movements on the floor.
- Moving forward to Game 4 against the Rockets, the Warriors will build upon their defensive effort, determined to continue their championship run, regardless of any questions or challenges surrounding their playstyle in the NBA playoffs.
