Since the arrival of Jimmy Butler, the entire environment of the Golden State Warriors has been as positive as it can be. When supposed to bring stability as main concept, it has forged one of the most fascinating alliances in the NBA instead.
After Draymond Green’s latest ejection during the Warriors’ victory over the Utah Jazz on January 2, 2026, Butler chose to criticize the league’s optics and double down on his teammate. While the internet buzzed with comments about Green’s “volatile” nature, Butler offered another perspective that underscored the invisible weight Green carries for the franchise.
“That ain’t the aormula”
When reporters approached Butler to discuss the ejection, Green’s second in just eight games, the veteran forward provided his opinion regarding the officials’ decision. However, his message to Green and the public was clear: the Warriors’ success is a house of cards without their defensive anchor.
That ain’t the formula. We need 23 out there,” Butler emphasized. “It’s so hard to do what he does, but it’s a collective effort when he’s not out there
Butler’s commentsoffers a truth often missed in the headlines: while the Warriors managed to close out the Jazz without Green, the physical and mental toll on the remaining players increases exponentially. For Butler, the final goal is not just to win, it is to do it with the team’s identity intact, and that includes their No. 23.
Liking what he sees
The defensive connection between Butler and Green has been a central point behind the Warriors’ recent surge, where they have won six of their last eight. However, all these good things have not arrived without their internal fires.
Just weeks ago on Christmas Day, Butler went viral for his reaction to a shouting match between Green and head coach Steve Kerr, jokingly stating that the confrontation “turned him on” because it showed a level of competitive fire the team desperately needed.
This controlled chaos is precisely what Butler seems to respect about what surrounds him. Since his trade from Miami earlier in 2025, Butler has emerged not as a critic of Green’s outbursts, but as an interpreter of them.
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