Jimmy Butler Has One Request For Buddy Hield: No More Dribbling

It was classic Jimmy, direct, deadpan, and honest—but also rooted in the details of the game. Butler, who stuffed the stat sheet with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals, has quickly embraced his leadership role with the Warriors. 

And when he took a playful but pointed jab at Hield’s ball-handling, he was doing more than cracking a joke.

Hield, who had a quiet night with just two points on 1-of-4 shooting, was often caught in awkward spots. 

After grabbing defensive rebounds, he tried to push the tempo by dribbling up the floor only to get hounded by the Rockets' athletic wings and guards. Rather than securing the ball and resetting the offense, he invited unnecessary pressure and risked turnovers. 

It was exactly the kind of thing Butler wanted to eliminate, especially in a gritty, low-scoring game where every possession mattered.

The Rockets boast one of the longest and most switchable defenses in the league, with players like Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson able to close space in transition and force bad decisions. 

Hield’s tendency to grab the rebound and take off immediately wasn’t helping. As Butler sees it, Hield’s job in that moment is simple: hold the ball, give it to the point guard or to Jimmy himself and get back into a good spot on the floor.

This isn't to say Butler doesn’t respect Hield’s value. The Warriors traded for Hield’s shooting and floor-spacing, not his ability to break down defenders off the dribble. 

In fact, Butler has praised Hield in the past for his quick trigger and movement off the ball, but even that has to be within the flow of a disciplined offense, something Golden State prides itself on.

With Stephen Curry pouring in 31 points and orchestrating most of the offense, and Butler operating as a secondary creator and defensive anchor, Golden State doesn’t need Hield to do anything outside his role. Dribble less. Shoot more. Space the floor. Play within the rhythm.

Butler’s no-nonsense approach has already rubbed off on the team, and the Warriors looked like a more focused, balanced squad in their Game 1 win. 

They weathered a late push by the Rockets and closed the game like veterans. Part of that comes from eliminating the small mistakes and from having a leader like Butler willing to call them out with humor and clarity.

So while his message to Hield may have come off as lighthearted, it’s part of a bigger picture. Jimmy Butler wants to win, and he’s going to make sure everyone on the roster plays their role to the letter.

And for Buddy? That means no more dribbling. Just shoot.