Jimmy Butler has been a supporter of Jonathan Kuminga from the beginning. Through fluctuating playing time and noise from outside critics, the Texas native has maintained a deep belief in Kuminga and the trajectory of his career.
Coming into the season, Butler was familiar with the intense offseason Kuminga had contract-wise. It was a challenge for Kuminga to balance growing his game while trying to fit in the Warriors’ system — but Butler has been in his shoes before.
Prior to Butler’s trade to Golden State last season, Kuminga looked primed for a larger role.
Butler’s arrival threatened Kuminga’s shot at steady playing time, but the 23-year-old knew what adding a player like him could do — not just for the team, but for his individual development.
“I like that guy,” Kuminga said, pointing at Butler in the locker room after his first game as a Warrior last February. “I think it’s (being teammates with Jimmy) actually great for me, being around him, trying to pick up some of the stuff he does. I feel like I see myself having a similar type of game.”
Both players are 6-foot-7 physical wings who can defend and attack the rim at a high level.
Kuminga recognized the similarities between his path and Jimmy’s, and respected the work Butler put in to reach his status in the league. But that version of Jimmy Butler, which has given the Warriors a newfound hope, didn’t appear out of nowhere.
Before Jimmy erupted into an All-Star and Most Improved Player winner, he was in a situation very much familiar to Jonathan Kuminga’s.
The Early Days
Jimmy Butler entered the league in 2011 as a 22-year-old with a lot to prove. He wanted to make a name for himself, which was difficult at first, due to having a championship-contending roster with established players. The young Bull was playing behind that year’s MVP, Derrick Rose, along with Joakim Noah and Luol Deng.
He didn’t start once during his rookie year, averaging just 2.6 points and 8.5 minutes a game. In other words, he struggled to crack the rotation. The 2011 iteration of the Chicago Bulls didn’t ask for Butler’s scoring or offensive firepower. What the team did utilize was his tall, athletic frame to fill a less glamorous void the team needed.
Butler earned his keep by doing the dirty work. He was tasked with being a tenacious defender, soaring for rebounds, and effectively playing off teammates.
After multiple players went down with injuries throughout the following seasons, Butler began to see the court more, earning a longer leash to showcase more layers to his game. Tom Thibodeau couldn’t afford to keep him on the bench for long. He needed someone to shoulder the load while the team’s stars were out, and Jimmy was there waiting.
Naturally, this was the start of Butler’s bloom into stardom.
Like Butler, Kuminga was thrust into a system with a star MVP and a coach insistent on riding the wave of his trusted stars over inexperienced players. Neither player went to a franchise in a rebuilding stage willing to dedicate a few years to trial-and-error rookie basketball. Because of this, the two forwards were both initially confined to limited roles on their teams, sacrificing personal stats for team goals.
A Golden Mentorship
Butler knows what it feels like to be in Kuminga’s shoes better than anyone on the Warriors; to have an unwavering confidence in abilities but lack the opportunity to unleash it.
The parallels in their early basketball journeys, along with the fact that they play similar positions, have fostered a relationship between the two — on the court and off it.
When Kuminga’s contract talks were at a standstill over the offseason, he leaned on his “brother” Jimmy Butler for support. When Kuminga skipped Butler’s team bonding minicamp in September, as he still hadn’t signed anywhere, he personally spoke to the camp host to explain why he couldn’t attend.
The desire to learn and the receptiveness on the young forward’s end is why Butler is more than happy to take him under his wing. At previous stops in the 36-year-old’s career, he questioned some teammates’ commitment to hard work and winning. That’s why he has taken on a mentorship role with his protege: he knows Kuminga has the right attitude and work ethic conducive to winning.
“I just want to help JK be great,” he said after their season opener versus the Lakers. “He’s got so much raw talent… I’m trying to teach him a little bit of what I see throughout the game.”
He also confirmed that their relationship has grown throughout their time together as teammates.
“We been kicking it, hanging out, watching film, and working on our game together. I know how great he wants to be and how great he can be, so it’s now my job to help him fulfill that.”
Slowly Evolving
There were numerous occasions in the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers in which Kuminga made the correct play. The unselfish play.
He showed large spurts of what Kerr has wanted by passing up shots to create better looks for his teammates. What the Warriors hope is that he can take a more consistent role of point-attack-defender (POA) and finisher.
Butler was specifically proud of his passing, defense, and attacking. These were all skills Kerr has emphasized that JK focus on from day one.
The trusted mentor understands the importance of being patient and focusing on the little things. These seemingly small steps are what he has preached to Kuminga because he knows how necessary they are in achieving greatness.
One aspect of Butler’s game that Kuminga could particularly benefit from learning is his steadiness and ball security. Butler is one of the lowest turnover-prone players on the roster that also maintains efficiency. This combo makes it easier for Kerr to trust him in the final minutes of close games — something that would benefit Kuminga.
Luol Deng was Butler’s role model in his early playing days and showed him how to navigate the NBA. Now, it’s Butler’s turn to be someone’s role model.
The season is just beginning, but Warriors fans have every right to be high on JK. He is in good hands with Butler.
Jimmy believes in him because he sees the vision. He’s lived it through. He paid his dues.
Jonathan trusts Jimmy because he has the living proof of that grind guiding him along the way.
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