News Warriors Team Notes

[Golden State Warriors]

Steve Kerr Raves About Jimmy Butler After Big Performance

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

It wasn’t easy, but the Golden State Warriors took down the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night and punched their ticket to the NBA playoffs.

There were a few stars who were doing great things for the Warriors during their Play-In game, but it was Jimmy Butler who did the most.

Following the win, head coach Steve Kerr sat down with the press and talked about Butler and what he brings to the team.

“He’s the ultimate two-way player… he’s just so physically strong and laterally quick,” Kerr said, per NBA on X.

"He's the ultimate two-way player… he's just so physically strong and laterally quick."

Steve Kerr on Jimmy Butler III's epic #SoFiPlayIn performance and what he brings to Golden State

@JimmyButler: 38 PTS, most as a Warrior! pic.twitter.com/NFbNBQotc4

— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2025

Butler scored 38 points on Tuesday, his most since coming to the Warriors.

He gave a dominant and consistent offensive performance, but Kerr highlights the fact that he did so much more than that too.

Kerr said that it is Butler’s two-way skills that make him so remarkable.

He can shoot the ball well and score nearly 40 points, but he can also create lockdown defense that minimizes some of his toughest opponents.

Butler has a dogged drive and a desire to play hard.

Even if he is playing against someone much bigger than him, Butler doesn’t give up, and he pushes himself and his opponent.

One of Butler’s strongest features has always been his confidence and willingness to play hard.

That was on full display during Tuesday’s game.

With the Play-In out of the way, it is time for the Warriors to take on the Houston Rockets, who are the odds-on favorites to win.

But Butler has been an underdog before and has surprised everyone.

Based on his performance on Tuesday, it looks like he is ready to do that again.

The post Steve Kerr Raves About Jimmy Butler After Big Performance appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/steve-kerr-raves-about-jimmy-butler-after-big-performance/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Paul Pierce Believes Steph Curry Could Surpass LeBron James In GOAT Debate

(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Right now, Steph Curry is a four-time champion and one-time Finals MVP.

But if he is able to add another trophy to his shelf before LeBron James, some “uncomfortable” conversations will be needed.

That is according to Paul Pierce, who spoke about this possibility on “Speak,” via NBACentral.

He said if Curry wins another championship while James is still playing, he will be alongside Michael Jordan in the GOAT conversation.

Winning another title will say a lot and, according to Pierce, it’ll prove that Curry is better than James.

Paul Pierce says LeBron fans need to start bracing for some ‘uncomfortable’ conversations if Steph wins his fifth ring, because he’ll be right up there with Michael Jordan

(

@SpeakOnFS1 / h/t @Sports_Legacyy )

pic.twitter.com/Vy1znW1tGP

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 18, 2025

Pierce can expect plenty of pushback from Los Angeles Lakers fans, who will strongly disagree with this comment.

Of course, it would be incredibly impressive if Curry wins another championship.

As noted by Pierce, it would be like he has won with three different teams: pre-Kevin Durant, with Kevin Durant, and post-Kevin Durant.

His place in NBA history would be cemented even more, but many Lakers fans will still favor James over Curry in the GOAT discussion.

Others will add that Pierce is discounting James, who might be the one earning another championship ring before retirement.

His Lakers are statistically better than the Warriors, and now James is playing alongside future Hall of Famer Luka Doncic.

So, there is a chance that it’s James with the fifth ring before Curry and what would that mean for Pierce’s argument?

Both of these men are icons of the game, and they are fighting hard for another championship before they hang up their jerseys.

No matter what happens, these two will forever be discussed and compared when people speak about the best basketball players of all time.

The post Paul Pierce Believes Steph Curry Could Surpass LeBron James In GOAT Debate appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/paul-pi...ry-could-surpass-lebron-james-in-goat-debate/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Steve Kerr Gives Honest Thoughts About Dillon Brooks Ahead Of Playoff Matchup

(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Dillon Brooks of the Houston Rockets has created a lot of enemies during his years in the NBA, but everyone agrees he’s a talented player.

Steve Kerr recently sat down on 95.7 The Game and talked about Brooks, who will face off against the Golden State Warriors in the opening round of the playoffs.

He said he is trying to put the past behind him, but Kerr has never forgotten how Brooks treated one of his players a few years ago.

“I’ve let that stuff go. I mean you know in the heat of the moment a few years ago when he closed-lined Gary, yeah, he was not my favorite guy. That was a cheap shot. I think I said he broke the code. I still feel that way, but I have a lot of respect for Brooks. He’s a hell of a player,” Kerr said on the Willard and Dibs show.

“I’ve let that stuff go. I mean you know in the heat of the moment a few years ago when he closed-lined Gary, yeah, he was not my favorite guy. That was a cheap shot. I think I said he broke the code. I still feel that way, but I have a lot of respect for Brooks. He’s a hell of a… pic.twitter.com/EJiezhGomR

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 18, 2025

Kerr is referencing the 2022 playoffs, when Brooks (who was with the Memphis Grizzlies at the time) was suspended for a game without pay after injuring Gary Payton II.

That didn’t sit well with Kerr or the Warriors fanbase.

Even though he is playing for a different team now, the fans watching will let Brooks know that they haven’t moved on from the incident with Payton.

The Rockets are going to be a tough opponent for the Warriors and Kerr will have to be concerned with players beyond just Brooks.

One of the things in Golden State’s favor is that they are much more experienced and have been to the playoffs many times.

They might be able to outsmart and outlast the Rockets, who are still young and haven’t been in this position before.

Kerr is moving on from the troubled past he has with Brooks, but he still wants to beat him in the opening round.

The post Steve Kerr Gives Honest Thoughts About Dillon Brooks Ahead Of Playoff Matchup appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/steve-k...about-dillon-brooks-ahead-of-playoff-matchup/