Jimmy Butler’s dominant practice sends strong message about Warriors’ ceiling

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors went through a spirited scrimmage on Friday, and the performance of one of the team’s elder statesmen drew rave reviews.The gym on this day belonged to Jimmy Butler III.“He just had an incredible practice,” coach Steve Kerr said.“He wasn’t on my team, so I didn’t like to see it,” Stephen Curry said partly in jest.“But it was indicative of the ceiling that we can get to with a guy like that. A guy who at any moment knows how to win.”Even Butler’s faux nemesis, Buddy Hield, offered nothing but props to the man who turned 36 last month.“Jimmy dominated practice today,” Hield said. “It was great for him. He looked really good and professional today. It was great. Great energy.”Though general praise tends to flow freely in every training camp, the reaction in this instance is highly encouraging for the Warriors. There are many stories of Butler dominating scrimmages in his previous stops, whether Chicago or Minnesota or Philadelphia or Miami.Butler’s infamous scrimmage with the Timberwolves in 2018 is one that made its way around the NBA. Three weeks after asking...