When Jimmy Butler arrived at the Golden State Warriors, fans hoped for the worst. Notably, they had apprehensions over his fit with Draymond Green. They are two strong personalities who aren’t afraid of being vocal. At the same time, they are also akin to their passion for the game.

So far, that side of theirs is helping to stitch a strong relationship. That connection came strong in their ongoing game against the Dallas Mavericks. Playing on the road, the Warriors drowned into an early 15-point deficit. But their grit and pressuring play helped knit a 15-3 run to end the second quarter.

A part of that play came from Butler grabbing an offensive rebound and shoveling it to Green for a layup. As the quarter ended, the former Heat forward had some work for his new teammates. “Hey! Good play, m***** f*****!” he told the former DPOY according to Anthony Slater.

There’s a reason for them to have such positivity and uplifting spirits. The Warriors have won both games since Jimmy Butler made his debut. His energizing play has had a positive impact on the team. Furthermore, with Stephen Curry, Butler feels his work is “easy”. Defensively, the 35-year-old is a workhorse.

His dynamic with Draymond Green on that end also benefits the Warriors. At the same time, Butler also gives Curry some breathing room by demanding some defensive attention of his own.

Jimmy Butler signals the final dance for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green

On one side of the table, the Golden State Warriors had cooled down from their sizzling start to the season. The Bay was struggling to get wins, and it seemed Stephen Curry and Green’s final stretch would be cut short by one year. Then there was Jimmy Butler whose internal warfare with the Heat saw him prefer staying away from the thing he loves to do most. But in his heart, he loves to compete. And that’s where Mike Dunleavy saw an opportunity.

On the final day of the NBA’s trade deadline, the Warriors made a move in hopes to re-ignite their team. Butler joined the Bay. And with him came more than just brute competitive fire. To Stephen Curry, he foresaw his future in the Bay. Green spoke about his conversation with the franchise legend regarding the trade.

“Steph just looked more free but I’m going tell you, he looked like he got belief, that’s all it is. He said to me in Utah after the trade, he looked at me and he said ‘man, it’s crazy because it just dawned on me that like this is it, this is the last ride’. I said yeah, let’s do it!” the Warriors’ defensive anchor revealed on his podcast.

The three kingpins’ contracts all align. The three-year window is what Curry and the Warriors have to make an ultimate push for a title. Since Butler, not just the team but even the fanbase has some hope. His fighting spirit and postseason tales have sparked inspiration once again. It’s now up to the Warriors to make things work.