Warriors Notes: Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry

Outside of small-ball looks, Warriors veterans Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green have actually been more effective this season when they are not sharing the floor, according to Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle.

Gordon notes that since their last small-ball start on December 2, lineups featuring Butler and Green together own a minus 24.2 net rating in 51 combined minutes.

The most productive combinations, Gordon writes, have Butler flanked by shooters and secondary ballhandlers rather than another non-scoring forward. Stephen Curry acknowledged as much while explaining the ongoing lineup experimentation.

“I think (coach Steve Kerr) will continue to try to figure out the right combinations,” Curry said. “Me, Jimmy and Draymond can play together because we know each other so well. But the other two spots matter.

“Jimmy with shooting is kind of reflective of when he was at his best in Miami. We just have to understand what we’re trying to do with whoever is on the floor.”

Green Feeling Toll?

Green’s nightly defensive workload may also be a factor. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears said on NBA Today that Green has grown frustrated with being asked to consistently guard larger centers.

“I’m hearing that Draymond’s a little frustrated with having to guard guys who are 40 to 50 pounds heavier than him every night,” Spears said.

Golden State signed Al Horford in free agency with the idea of easing that burden, but injuries have limited Horford to just 13 games, forcing Green back into heavier frontcourt minutes.

Decline the Real Issue?

While Green’s recent ejection and public exchange with Kerr drew attention, Nick Friedell of The Athletic argues the larger issue is on-court reality rather than emotion.

Friedell writes that for the Warriors to function at a high level, they must fully accept that Green is no longer the player he once was and adjust accordingly.

That means leaning into what Green still does well defensively and as a communicator, while no longer expecting him to anchor every lineup or matchup.