The NBA has always been about duos that define dynasties. Think Shaq and Kobe—power and precision. O’Neal once recalled confronting Kobe about not passing enough, saying, “Kobe, there’s no I in team.” Bryant didn’t flinch: “No, but there is a M-E in that, motherf—–.” That fiery exchange didn’t break them—it cemented them. We’ve seen it with Jordan and Pippen, LeBron and Wade, Magic and Kareem. Different styles, same result: dominance. Each pairing shaped their era, rewriting what greatness looked like. And now? Another duo’s name is bubbling back up—one that’s caught the attention of Penny Hardaway and Udonis Haslem alike.
Before we dive deeper into that pairing, though, let’s rewind to a gritty Game 1 from the Western Semifinals. The Golden State Warriors, despite losing Stephen Curry to a hamstring injury in the first half, clawed their way to a 99–88 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night. It wasn’t pretty—Minnesota stumbled through a brutal first half—but the Warriors did enough to steal home court. Jimmy Butler came just shy of a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Draymond Green chipped in 18 and 8 to help seal the deal. They’re not done yet, but that win showed their depth and grit. Now, back to the duo discussion—because this one deserves the spotlight.
While chatting on The OGs, Penny Hardaway didn’t even blink when asked who the best guard-big combo in today’s NBA is. “It’s just high IQ. Know how to play the game. Both can pass. Both can make a trade. Both can score on every level,” he said, naming Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić. And honestly? He’s not wrong.
In Game 5, six of Murray’s threes came directly from Jokic assists—that’s tied for the second-most threes assisted by a single player in a playoff game since the play-by-play era began. Even so, it was Heat veteran Udonis Haslem’s words that struck deeper—because his praise wasn’t just respect. It came from lived experience.
“That duo is unstoppable. I’ve seen it firsthand in the Finals. We’re used to switching—when it’s Bam and Jimmy, they can usually guard any pick-and-roll. But this pick-and-roll gave us hell. Even with Bam switching onto Murray and Jimmy switching onto Joker, it was just a tough, tough switch for us,” the former Heat center said.
Feb 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts with center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
That insight hits even harder now, considering how things played out this postseason. Butler’s trade to the Warriors before the playoffs left a huge void—and the Heat couldn’t recover. They got swept. So you have to wonder: was Jimmy Butler’s absence the real reason Miami couldn’t hold the line this time?
Jimmy Butler: Golden State’s Offense, Upgraded
Getting swept is one thing, but the Heat’s 0-4 series loss to the Cavaliers? That’s historic, and not in a good way. It’s now the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history, capped by a brutal 55-point blowout in Game 4. And while Bam and Herro tried to carry the load, one thing was painfully clear: without Jimmy Butler, this team just wasn’t built to survive. At least, not so soon.
When the Warriors rolled the dice on Butler before the playoffs, they weren’t just chasing star power — they were looking for the missing piece to propel them forward. And with Butler in the fold, they found exactly that. Since his arrival, Golden State has seen a significant boost, with Butler on the floor contributing to a net rating of +3.2 in the regular season. During the playoffs, while his net rating drops to -0.9, the Warriors’ overall performance still shows his presence is felt. His on-court impact helped the team to post a 1.3 net rating in the postseason so far (credit for all the stats: stats.nba.com). While Butler hasn’t reached the MVP-level numbers some might expect, his contributions go beyond box scores, especially when compared to other key Warriors players, stabilizing the offense that had been relying heavily on Curry.
He’s fixed so many of the Warriors’ long-standing issues, starting with rim pressure. Before his arrival, the team struggled to generate consistent drives to the basket. Since Jimmy’s addition, the Warriors have seen a notable increase in their rim attempt rate, boosting their offensive efficiency and providing a new dynamic to their attack.
But if anyone still doubted how crucial Butler is, Game 1 of the Western Semifinals made it crystal clear. With Curry sidelined by a hamstring injury, it was Butler who steadied the ship. He finished just shy of a triple-double — 20 points, 11 boards, and 8 assists — while leading the Warriors to a 99-88 win. That 55-point defensive stand in the first half? That was his tone-setting. He even said it bluntly after the game: “We want Steph back, I’ll tell you that… It’s hard playing without that man.” But when asked what Game 1 taught him, he added, “That Steph is our best player.” And yet, on a night when the Warriors needed a new No. 1, Jimmy answered the call.
That’s the value of a true two-way star — not just when things are clicking, but when everything’s on the line. And in an NBA built on iconic duos, Jimmy Butler has proven he’s not just a piece — he’s the pillar. And in Golden State, he might’ve just found his perfect stage to remind everyone why.
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