2 weeks Ago By Jarrod Castillo
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors saw firsthand just how effective "Playoff Jimmy" can be at any given time. Jimmy Butler III is known for generally saving his best performances during the playoffs and in the Warriors' 121-116 Play-In Tournament win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the star forward lived up to his moniker. Time and again, Butler proved to be too much to handle for the Grizzlies, scoring 38 points in 4 minutes of action.
What's more, Butler added seven rebounds, six assists and three steals to his total, showing just how much of a force he is when the playoffs roll around. After the win, Warriors star Draymond Green spoke on what it is like seeing a player like Butler get into zone and live up to the "Playoff Jimmy" name. "Yeah, he's different.
My God, he's different. You can just see a whole different intensity level and focus," Green began to reporters after an exhausting win . "I'm a basketball fan, so I've watched it on TV for years.
To see it up close and personal, it's a real thing. "Sometimes you get into the NBA and these guys get these nicknames and you're like, 'Man, stop it.' There's some other nicknames out there, they're not real.
That one's real and I'm happy he's on our side." The Warriors' defensive ace also noted that when "Playoff Jimmy" comes around, Green noticed a sizeable shift in his personality. "He hasn't yelled at anybody since he's been here," he recalled.
"He's like yelling at guys now. It's a totally different person, but I think the way guys are adjusting to it is beautiful. So we got to make sure we keep doing that, but it's a completely different person.
" Along with Green, Warriors fans on social media were quick to acknowledge the presence of "Playoff Jimmy" and how differently the star performs when the lights are the brightest. "Play-In Jimmy is a real thing!" one fan noted, with another stating: "It's so obvious now. Warriors would not have made the playoffs without Jimmy Butler.
" And while the fans and Green were quick to point out Butler's impact against the Grizzlies, the star himself pivoted and praised the job Curry did against Memphis. In 38 minutes, Curry scored 37 points with eight rebounds, four assists and one steal as he and Butler were the Warriors' leading duo. Looking for more to watch ? Peacock has hit shows, movies, live sports, and more.
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Speaking with TNT Sports' Allie LaForce after the win, Butler had extremely high praise for Curry, especially after the night he had himself. In particular, the 35-year-old explained what it was like to be on the same side as the Warriors star when he has games where he lights up the opposing defense. "It's real.
It's real. I'm telling you," Butler said. "That's a Batman if I've ever seen a Batman.
Always coming to save the day. You're never out of any game. And more than anything, he's just so poised.
He's so calm. He was a huge part of us getting this victory." The Warriors will play Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs against the Houston Rockets on April 20.
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