Steve Kerr wasn’t focused on shot totals when asked about Jimmy Butler’s recent lack of offensive impact.
Instead, the Warriors coach acknowledged a broader issue: Golden State has not consistently put the ball in Butler’s hands and allowed him to control games the way he did late last season.
Speaking to reporters after Golden State’s 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Kerr emphasized that the responsibility starts with him.
“I’ve got to find a way to get him more into the groove of the game,” Kerr said. “I don’t really consider Jimmy’s game to be dependent on how many shots he gets, but we do need his scoring. We do need his playmaking.”
The Warriors struggled to slow Portland’s pace, falling into what Kerr described as a “track meet” against a younger, more athletic team. Golden State was unable to regularly dominate the game in the half-court — an area where Butler historically has been most effective.
“I thought we did a better job last year of putting him in position to attack and create shots for people,” Kerr said. “We need to get back to that type of control of the game — going to him in the half-court, especially when Steph [Curry] is out, taking care of the ball, turning the other team over, controlling the game.”
According to Kerr, the Warriors’ increased reliance on a more free-flowing offensive approach has contributed to Butler’s reduced involvement.
“I think we’re a little bit more in our random flow,” Kerr added. “And I think we need to be more particular with getting to some sets where we know we can get him the ball.”
Kerr cited a recent example against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when Butler went multiple possessions without touching the ball while Steph Curry was off the floor — something Kerr took responsibility for.
“That’s on me,” Kerr confessed. “It’s also on our players to understand. I can’t call a play every time, nor do I want to.”
The Warriors have shown flashes of running their offense through Butler and keeping him involved in key stretches, but not with the consistency required to stabilize games — particularly against teams that thrive in transition.
“We’ve had a few moments during the season, but we’re not able to consistently put the ball in Jimmy’s hands and let him control games like we did at the end of last year,” Kerr added. “We’ve got to find a way, as a staff and as players, to make sure we’re playing through Jimmy and getting the game under control.”
Until the Warriors consistently run games through Butler more often, that control might continue to be hard to find.
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