Average salary of 53 million, average 18 points per game! The huge playoffs have obviously regressed, it is difficult for you to win the championship

The semi-finals of the playoffs this season are in fierce competition. In the first two matches of the four semi-finals, the East has a 2-0 lead. The Pacers have forced the Cavaliers to a desperate situation. The Knicks have made two consecutive 20-point reversals, which also declared that the defending champion is almost eliminated. In the West, the Thunder and the Nuggets temporarily tied 1-1, while the Warriors and the Timberwolves tied 1-1. As two teams below the first round, the Warriors and the Timberwolves were not favored in the first round, especially the Timberwolves. ESPN 10 experts predicted that all the Lakers would advance, but they did not expect that the Lakers would be vulnerable. In James' words, the Timberwolves' regular season record does not reflect their true strength at all, and they have a chance to enter the Western Conference Finals. Although the Warriors regained their home advantage, Curry suffered a hamstring injury.

The Warriors officially announced that Curry needs to have a week off and G5 can return to the team in the fastest series. But in Guo Ailun's words, Curry probably will be difficult to play this season. If you force your comeback and get injured again, you may not be able to play. Harden suffered a second-degree hamstring strain during the Nets. I believe many fans were still impressed. They had been on standby for more than a month and fought against the Bucks. After returning, they fought 1 of 10 shots, without any touch, and they had no strength in their legs. Taking a step back, based on the best situation, even if Curry can return in G5 or G6, this means that at least he cannot lose both at home games between the Warriors G3 and G4, otherwise the Timberwolves will get the match point, and Curry will be back with high intensity, so there is no big suspense. Butler is needed at this time.

Butler has been with the Warriors, and has once climbed from 12th place in the regular season to 4th place in the regular season, and finally entered the playoffs with the No. 7 seed. Butler averaged 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6 assists per game in the regular season. However, 7.7 free throws per game are crucial, and he is one of the few holding points. He also has an organizational role. The key is that he is very good at defending when he is on the court at the same time as Zhu Meng Green, and he can beat his opponent 10.5 points in a 100-round regular season. In the playoffs, Butler averaged 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He played in the Rockets in the first round, including key rebounds and damage in the tiebreak, butler really made an indelible contribution. However, due to Amen Thompson's accidental injury, Butler's gluteal muscle injury still had a great impact on him. In the second round, Butler played against the Timberwolves, G1 scored 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists, and G2 scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

First of all, Warriors G1 When Curry was injured and retreated, Hilder's forward was very critical. Butler used 20 shots to get 20 points, but his efficiency was not high. When the G2 Warriors defeated the Timberwolves, Butler only made 13 shots in the game, which is obviously not enough! In the words of famous Perkins, Curry is not here, Butler is no longer the second leader, he must be more aggressive, and he needs to set the tone for the team! So does Butler still have explosive scoring power? First of all, objective conditions do not allow it. Butler is 36 years old during the offseason, and his physical fitness is the biggest problem, not to mention the problem of hip injury. Secondly, in Cole's system, he completely distrusts the big guys in the playoffs. Whether it is Looney, Boster or Davis, his playing time is very limited, and the Warriors' inside line is actually supported by Butler and Green.

has these two premises, let’s look at a set of comparison data. In 23 years, Butler led the Heat to the finals, averaging 20 shots per game, scoring 27 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 assists, and averaging 8.5 free throws per game. In this season's playoffs, Butler averaged 13.3 shots per game, scoring 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Obviously, Butler took over more ball rights during the Heat period. Regardless of winning or losing, I was responsible for the game, but it was not possible with the Warriors! In fact, since he came to the Warriors, it was difficult for Butler to get high scores. The highest score in the Warriors' career was the final game of 30 points and 9 assists against the Clippers, which was really exhausted. Secondly, based on Butler's lack of outside shooting, he has the ability to create lethality, and basically one shot can get 0.7 free throws, which is the highest in the league!

But in Butler's own words, it is impossible to replicate Curry's offensive level, I must stand up. Butler's salary this season is 48.8 million. He signed first and then exchanged with the Warriors for a two-year contract renewal of $110 million. He won 54.13 million + 56.83 million respectively in the next two years, with an average salary of 53 million, but the average average of 18 points is obviously not enough! First of all, if Curry cannot return this season, the Warriors have no chance of winning the championship at all. Secondly, if Butler cannot achieve 25 or even 30 points, other teammates will not be able to open up space. Even if Curry comes back, the Warriors will be on the edge of the cliff, and it is only a matter of time before they get out. The most embarrassing thing is that Butler's contract is increasing every year, but the Warriors' window for winning is gradually closed due to the age of Curry and Butler.

Compared with the summer of 23, Butler has indeed retreated. From another perspective, if the 25-point level of the playoffs can be maintained, the Warriors may not be dragged to Game 7 in the first round of the Rockets, and Curry may not be injured due to accumulation of fatigue. Of course, this is not the fault of Butler, after all, he is indeed old. Cole insists on the passing and cutting system, the Warriors lack a high degree of objective facts, the core lineup is seriously aging, and the new generation cannot take over. Although Butler said that the Warriors will win the championship, Butler may find it difficult to win the championship. This season, he can no longer dominate the game with all his energy.