What Makes Curry, Butler Different is What Makes Them Great

His seamless fit alongside Steph Curry was a welcome sight. He quickly began moving off the ball and taking advantage of the swarming defenses that hounded Curry. Their unconventional partnership is fascinating because, despite both being NBA stars, Curry and Butler are quite different from each other. 

Opposites Attract

Curry made a name for himself by being a three-point shooter and moving off the ball to create open looks. Butler gained footing in the NBA by utilizing his athleticism and being a tough defensive player. Although their games have continued to evolve, this dichotomy is precisely why the pairing works: Curry and Butler complement each other’s strengths.

Their on-court games aren’t the only place where they have differences. Off the court, their childhood upbringings and personal demeanors couldn’t be further apart.

Curry grew up in what many would consider to be the ideal situation: a financially stable, two-parent household, devoid of violence. Butler, on the other hand, had a much more unstable youth. His father left him when he was little, and his mother kicked him out of the house at the age of 13 because of the way he looked. Butler didn’t have money or a home. He bounced around to different friends’ houses looking for stable ground, while simultaneously pursuing basketball. 

Butler was the last pick in the first round of the NBA draft; Curry was a lottery pick. Curry is a calming presence in the Warriors’ locker room and is known for being an affable, humble superstar; Butler is notorious for messy breakups from his previous teams by ruffling feathers with teammates and organizations. 

Regardless of contrasts in their upbringings or past histories, the basketball fit has worked when both stars play together.

Looking Ahead

Curry and Butler’s chemistry grew throughout their shortened season together. They attended an LAFC match together in April. Butler also expressed his desire to spend more time with Curry this offseason to connect and strengthen their personal relationship.

At some point in their basketball journeys, both players were overlooked and doubted, and they now find that to be the case again during these latter stages of their careers. This shared underdog mentality is what keeps Butler striving for his first ring, and Curry his fifth.

The star duo bring a commonality that will arguably be the key to their success next season: an insatiable hunger to prove that they still have what it takes to contend for a title.

To them, age is just a number that they are committed to defying for as long as Father Time permits.

The end is closer than either would like to admit. This offseason will reveal how Dunleavy feels about the team’s chances of contending with their current roster going forward. Curry and Butler believe they still have what it takes to spearhead their team to the mountaintop. Their belief should give Warriors fans hope that the aging stars’ chances aren’t over just yet.