Jimmy Butler had high praise for Draymond Green following the Golden State Warriors’ victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Speaking after the game, Butler highlighted Green’s defensive mindset and intensity. “I think you gotta respect the hell out of what he does… Just lock in on defense every single possession down and get mad when anybody scores. Not just the guy he’s guarding,” Butler said, via 95.7 The Game.
The Miami Heat star also acknowledged Green’s impact on the Warriors’ locker room. “He is a Hall of Famer for a reason. I just respect what he brings to this squad. What he brings to this locker room,” he added.
“[Draymond] always like that. Not just Giannis. He don’t give a damn who he’s going up against. If he’s going up against a damn 5 year old. He would hate for that individual to score on him. And he wouldn’t want anybody to help him,” Butler added.
Green, 35, has been vocal about his pursuit of a second Defensive Player of the Year award. With Victor Wembanyama sidelined due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, the Warriors veteran believes he has a legitimate case.
“I want another one. Especially with Wemby going down. It seemed like he had it won. Now it’s right there,” Green said.
The four-time NBA champion emphasized his unique defensive impact. “I don’t see many players completely throwing off an entire team’s offense the way I do,” he stated.
Green is averaging 9.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game this season. His versatility remains a crucial factor for Golden State as they battle for playoff positioning.
The Warriors strengthened their postseason hopes with a 104-93 win over the Bucks on Tuesday night. Butler led Golden State with 24 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists.
With Stephen Curry resting, rookie guard Brandin Podziemski contributed 17 points and seven rebounds. Buddy Hield added 15 points off the bench.
Golden State took control early with a 32-point first quarter and maintained defensive pressure throughout the game. Milwaukee shot just 39.2% from the field and 31.6% from beyond the arc.
Kyle Kuzma led the Bucks with 22 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez each had 16 points but struggled to generate consistent offense.
The Warriors’ defense limited Milwaukee to just 17 points in both the second and fourth quarters. Podziemski sealed the victory with a clutch three-pointer late in the game.
With the win, Golden State improved to 40-29 and remained in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. The Bucks, now 38-30, continue to navigate a tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
