"He gave them new life”: Not Stephen Curry, new Golden State Warriors star earns massive respect from Charles Barkley

Just ahead of Jimmy Butler’s arrival, the Golden State Warriors looked like a team running on fumes, and NBA analyst Charles Barkley candidly acknowledged the former Miami Heat star’s subtle influence on the team. Stephen Currywas shouldering the bulk of the offensive burden, and the Dubs hovered around .500. Many had begun to write them off, assuming the dynasty that had dominated since 2015 was finally crumbling. But just when it seemed like the Warriors were headed for another disappointing season, a midseason blockbuster trade changed everything. It was certainly a jackpot for the Warriors.

On February 8, Jimmy Butler made his Golden State Warriors debut against the Chicago Bulls, and the veteran NBA star showed that he is in the Bay Area to make his case solid, promising to put in what the Golden State had been missing. Since acquiring Butler, the Warriors have gone 13-2. Now sitting at 38-28, they are within striking distance of the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has taken notice of Butler’s influence, stating on Inside the NBA, "He gave them new life. Butler has given these guys a lot of juice, and one of the most underrated things he does? He gets to the free-throw line. They're not living by jump shots anymore."
Barkley isn’t wrong. Since joining the Warriors, he has averaged 7.7 free-throw attempts per game, converting at an elite 88% clip. Butler’s inside presence has balanced Golden State’s offense.
Additionally, he has freed up Draymond Green to play his best role. The duo of Green and Butler makes Golden State much tougher contenders. As Antoine Walker pointed out on Run It Back, "Two premiere defenders in this league in Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler… Guys that can really lock down in one-on-one situations. It allows you to play without a true center."
Butler’s arrival has also had a massive effect on Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP is playing some of his best basketball in years, averaging 29.9 points per game over the last 14 contests. Shaquille O’Neal shared how Butler allows Curry to retain his standout performance: "Before Jimmy got there, Steph had to do everything. Now? Jimmy gives the Warriors a different look. They can go to him inside and outside, get to the free-throw line, and allow Steph to rest in-game."
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The Warriors are now roaring, clinching wins while some superstars are adding individual records to their name. Curry has recently become the first NBA star to claim the 4,000 3-pointers. As for Butler, he also got his footing in the team after coming out of his long-time feud with his former team, Miami Heat, as he faced multiple suspensions during the end of his tenure at Heat.