Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone shares strong statement on Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler before matchup

And three stats highlight the difference he has made: When Butler came to the Warriors, he changed his number to 10 and, in a social media post, praised some of the finest attacking playmakers in soccer history. The man called his shot. He’s playing like a true trequartista out there.

The team is 14-2 since acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline and has the NBA's fifth-best offense and second-best defense over that span. Stephen Curry, who had looked ragged and battered as he attempted to drag the Warriors to the postseason,