Preview: Is Jimmy the Klay for Draymond’s defense?

Warriors need to take advantage of banged up Raptors

Stephen Curry will return to action after missing one game due to a minor back issue, and the Golden State Warriors will be happy to have him back. Not necessarily because the Toronto Raptors, who have been struggling with injuries, pose a significant threat, but because the Warriors are still working to solidify their playoff position. While securing the 6th seed and avoiding the unpredictable NBA Play-in tournament is a step in the right direction, the Warriors’ hold on that spot is still fragile. With Curry back, Golden State needs to create some separation in the standings.

As of now, the Warriors are still struggling to distance themselves from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are just half a game behind in the 7th seed. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers, one game back in the 8th spot, haven’t yet fallen off either. Looking up in the standings doesn’t provide much relief either. Thankfully, with the 6th seed in hand, Golden State controls their own destiny.

On the injury front, Curry is available, but Gary Payton has been listed as questionable. The Raptors, who have been dealing with a long list of injuries, are clearly struggling as a result, with the injury list simply being completed as “and others.”

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GAME DETAILS

WHO: Golden State Warriors () vs Toronto Raptors ()

WHEN: March 20th, 2025; 7pm PDT

WATCH: NBCSBA

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Hear me out: Is Jimmy the Klay for Draymond’s defense?

Certain player pairings seem to spark something special, and it looks like Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green might be the latest example. From the Bash Bros to the Splash Bros, the Bay Area has been treated to its fair share of athletic brilliance.¹ I hope this isn’t a blasphemous parallel to make, but it’s not just about both Butler and Green being excellent, it’s the overwhelming sense of opponents throwing up their hands when facing both. “What are you supposed to do against that?”

In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, some player pairings transcend individual talent and elevate their team's play in ways that defy statistical analysis. One such pairing emerging in Golden State is Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. While both are known for their defensive prowess, together they form a synergy that not only amplifies their individual strengths but also redefines the Warriors' defensive identity. This duo, which has quickly developed a reputation for its complementary skills and shared basketball IQ, has made a significant impact on the Warriors’ overall performance. Butler’s defensive versatility and Green’s leadership create a formidable presence on the court, allowing Golden State to navigate their defensive struggles while keeping their championship aspirations intact. The question isn't whether Butler and Green are good defensively together—it’s how they’re reshaping the Warriors’ defense and making it stronger than ever before.

According to Cleaning the Glass, Butler has logged 544 non-garbage time minutes, during which the Warriors defense has improved significantly, allowing roughly six fewer points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor, a mark that places him in the 90th percentile of defenders. But this story isn’t about the defensive math, it’s about the magic conjured by a duo of players that seem to create new definitions of what’s possible.

“He’s been telling you guys when it’s time, he’ll do it. Tonight, it was time.”

~Kerr, on Butler’s heroics to help drag the Warriors to a win over the Bucks

It was Butler’s gritty offense that shone in the closing minutes of a Bucks game that felt painfully close to an emotional must win. Golden State had let their 14-point halftime lead evaporate, and then turn into a deficit. Then it was Butler’s turn to shine. On his way to 24 points (11 of them coming off of his free throws), 10 assists, and 8 rebounds on the night, Butler played the entire 4th quarter, chipping away at the game with a blue collar diligence that has been his trademark.

And yet somehow, the biggest media chatter after the game may have been about Green’s chances of picking up another Defensive Player of the Year award. As Kevin Pelton points out, not only has Green fared not as well at the rim, the frequency of him doing so has fallen off a cliff this season.

What’s interesting is that though Green’s metrics on defense are down - quite a bit in some cases - Green still has that unique ability to dominate when needed. It’s not at all clear how much of Green’s numerical decreases are due to lower minutes, a changing role, or the greedy maws of Father Time eating away at his ability to cover ground quickly.

But as DNHQ-affiliated basketball genius, Joe Viray points out, there’s a new wrinkle now that Butler is out there playing free safety - it frees up Green to overplay, a luxury he hasn’t had in years.

Green and Butler have found another gear with each other on the court. There’s a mutual respect that’s no secret, and it pairs extremely well with Green and the known cadence of the basketball season. It’s ramp-up time, and the guys are ready.

“I knew it would come down to this,” Green said of playing center after beating the Pistons recently. “But I just didn’t have much interest in doing it for 82 games. Because it’s a lot. To anchor a defense. To play the five, you’re in every action. People downhill at you. It’s a different responsibility on the body. … But if you can’t do it for 29 games, it’s over, champ.”

Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. Butler is known for elevating the players around him, and his impact is clear. The only active Warriors player with a better defensive metric than Butler is Brandin Podziemski, who has a -7.5 points per 100 possessions compared to Butler’s -6.1. Podziemski’s pair of late threes in the fourth quarter helped seal the Warriors’ win over the Bucks, and Moses Moody has also thrived alongside Butler.

This versatility on both ends of the floor has made Butler and Green an intriguing pairing—one that not only frustrates opponents but also energizes the Warriors’ defense and offense alike. Together, they’ve revitalized the team’s small-ball lineup, unlocking a new level of defensive intensity and tactical flexibility. As the Warriors continue to evolve, this dynamic duo stands as a testament to the power of strategic pairing in basketball, reshaping the team’s championship aspirations and proving that sometimes, the right synergy is all it takes to elevate a team to new heights. Well, that and a huge trade deadline deal that brings in one of the most impactful players in the league.

Prediction

The Warriors cannot call this a trap game because there is simply no excuse to not come out of tonight with a win. Any victory will be sweet, but I predict a nice comfortable evening. As Butler said, protect Curry (by giving him the 4th quarter off).

1. I’m obligated to include Montana and Rice duo here as well, despite lack of a compelling nickname.