Warriors' Steve Kerr Hypes Jimmy Butler: 'Playoff Jimmy is a Real Thing'

Steve Kerr is expecting Jimmy Butler to reach a new level in his first postseason with the Golden State Warriors.

"Playoff Jimmy is a real thing," Kerr said after Butler posted 26 points in a Sunday night win over the visiting Detroit Pistons.

Kerr continued: "In some ways that felt like a playoff game... the physicality, and kind of a rock fight, frankly. Guys like Jimmy really thrive in these type of games."

The Warriors improved to 36-28 with the win, taking one step closer to the Houston Rockets and the No. 5 seed in the West.

If the season ended today, the Warriors would face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

That improvement from last season's playoff miss is in part because of the boost Butler has provided since his trade deadline acquisition from the Miami Heat.

The Warriors are 11-2 since Butler's Feb. 8 debut with the team, and Butler wasn't playing in one of those two losses.

Kerr told reporters last Tuesday that the Warriors have developed a "real identity" as a two-way team over that stretch.

"He's not the exact same player as Andre Igoudala, but he has the same influence. He's constantly reading what's happening, and calming us down, and creating good possessions at both ends," Kerr said last week (h/t The Athletic's Anthony Slater.)

Other NBA teams have reportedly been noticing Butler's fit with Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area.

As one NBA scout recently told ESPN's Tim Bontemps: "No one will want to play them in the playoffs. Jimmy with fresh legs and motivation ... honeymoon-phase Jimmy is a motherf---er."

Butler's last trip to the postseason took place in 2023. After averaging 22.9 points during the regular season, Butler upped that to 26.9 points through 22 playoff games to lead the Heat on a surprise trip to the NBA Finals.

The Warriors will hope to see a similar jump in his production during the steep climb out of the crowded Western Conference playoff picture this spring.