In today’s Dub Hub:

What was supposed to be the soft part of the Golden State Warriors’ December schedule has quickly turned into two consecutive disappointing losses. Sunday’s 136–131 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers stood out in particular, especially with Steph Curry erupting for 48 points — his second-highest scoring performance of the season.

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Jimmy Butler finished with 16 points as Golden State’s second-leading scorer, but it came on 3-of-11 shooting, with most of his production coming at the free-throw line (10-of-11). Butler continues to impact the game in other ways, but on a night when Curry needed help easing the scoring burden, he struggled against Portland’s length and athleticism.

That message was echoed after the game as the team emphasized the importance of getting Butler going offensively.

The Warriors know what Butler looks like at his best — aggressive, drawing extra defenders, and controlling the tempo of the game. They’ve also seen how thin the margin for winning becomes when that version doesn’t show up consistently.

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As December rolls on, the path forward is becoming clearer. Curry can still dominate, but for the losses to stop stacking up, the Warriors need Butler doing more than filling the box score — they need him to take over when the moment calls for it.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, December 16th:

Warriors News:It’s time for Jimmy Butler to be more aggressive for the Warriors | The Athletic

As much as the Warriors are still trying to make Butler feel comfortable with what they’re trying to do offensively, they want him to be more assertive when the time comes. Butler has shown flashes of that this season, but the Warriors would be better served if he showed that side of his game even more as the group searches for some kind of offensive identity besides the one that Curry provides.

“And then, as I do a better job of that,” Green continued. “I also need Jimmy to be more aggressive and demonstrative and go take the ball. Or come get the ball. And say exactly where he want the ball. And he will — he does. He doesn’t shy away from that. So, we’re putting it together. It’s Game 27. Nobody’s panicking.”

Warriors owner Joe Lacob swiftly responds to frustrated fan’s email plea | NBC Sports Bay Area

Lacob himself, which Simon and SFGate confirmed through Warriors Senior Vice President of Communications Raymond Ridder, actually replied to the fan’s email two minutes after Dutari sent it, and relayed his shared frustration while stating he was “working on it.”

“You can’t be as frustrated as me,” Lacob wrote. “I am working on it. It’s complicated. Style of play. Coaches desires regarding players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.

Joe”

Steph Curry officially passes Michael Jordan for most 40-point games after the age of 30NBA News:Inside the ugly Chris Paul-LA Clippers divorce | ESPN

To prove his point, Paul stood up and walked down the aisle of the plane to Leonard and Kris Dunn and asked them whether he had suggested a change or actually changed the coverage, multiple sources who witnessed the interaction said.

Both players affirmed that he had suggested it, sources said. The interaction was brought up again to other players on the team during the flight, and sources said that subsequently got back to the coaching staff and front office.

That night, the team decided it had finally had enough.

“He was a pain in the ass when he was a great player,” another executive with a different team said. “And now he’s not a great player.”

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Mavs’ first overall pick Cooper Flagg scores 42 points in loss vs. JazzIn case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:Blazers expose one of several ways the Warriors are failing Steph Curry

Without mincing any words, the problem this team has is multi-fold. The defense at the point of attack waxes and wanes, and it waned to the utmost degree against the Blazers tonight. The offense cannot function without having Curry to act as its lifeline, especially with Butler’s recent form of being too oddly passive.

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