Steve Kerr Praises Jimmy Butler Ahead of Warriors Playoff Opener

San Francisco, CA — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lauded Jimmy Butler‘s postseason performance during a press conference on Friday, drawing a compelling comparison between the six-time All-Star and former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. Kerr stated, “We don’t employ ‘Playoff Jimmy.’ ‘Playoff Jimmy’ shows up on his own.”

Kerr elaborated on his admiration for Butler, indicating that he shares a similar mindset to Iguodala’s. “Jimmy reminds me so much of Andre Iguodala from a personality standpoint. He almost doesn’t really want to score. Like, Andre really loved the nuances of the game, he loved getting other people open, he loved manipulating the defense. I feel the same about Jimmy,” Kerr said.

Butler’s scoring ability was noted as a significant difference, with Kerr stating, “He’s a much better scorer than Andre… but similar mentality of going whatever it takes to win tonight and ‘I’d rather pass the ball to my teammates than shoot.’ So it’s really just a beautiful mentality.” Butler, who averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 30 regular-season games after being traded to the Warriors in February, has been instrumental in leading the team to playoff contention.

The 35-year-old joined Golden State following a tumultuous season with the Miami Heat, where he faced multiple suspensions due to disputes with management. Butler expressed his eagerness for success in a post shared on the Warriors’ X account, stating, “Ready to win, ready to work, ready to put on a show for y’all. Let’s get it. Championship coming soon.”

The Warriors will kick off their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Kerr’s comments about Butler come just days after the Warriors’ victorious play-in tournament against the Memphis Grizzlies.

In relevant news, Kerr’s recent endorsement of Harvard during a postgame press conference sparked controversy. He had worn a Harvard shirt to support his friend and team coach Tommy Amaker. Kerr stated, “I believe in academic freedom. I think it’s crucial for all of our institutions to handle their business the way they want to, and they should not be shaken down and told what to teach.”

Former Warriors part-owner Chamath Palihapitiya publicly criticized Kerr for this stance on social media, referring to him as a “hapless rube” and accusing him of defending an institution he described as a “corporation with a $53B balance sheet masquerading as a nonprofit.” Palihapitiya’s comments reflect an ongoing debate surrounding the interplay of sports, education, and politics.