As the 2025–26 NBA season approaches, the Golden State Warriors’ star, Jimmy Butler, took the opportunity to prepare in uncommon fashion—by training with global action legend Jackie Chan.

During his summer tour in China, Butler was invited for an exclusive martial arts lesson, which quickly became a viral sensation. Images and videos shared by the Warriors and Butler himself captured the six-time All-Star learning kung fu basics, including practice with the traditional wooden dummy, all under the watchful, charismatic eye of Chan.

It wasn’t just about fun or social media buzz. Butler, known across the league for his physicality and mental toughness, immersed himself in the discipline and flow of martial arts, hoping to carry those lessons into a Warriors squad entering a high-stakes, championship-or-bust campaign.

With Jackie Chan’s signature humor and warmth, the lesson reinforced Butler’s commitment to evolving as both player and person before the grind of the NBA season.

Offseason Energy and On-Court Ambition

Having been traded to the Warriors before the 2025 deadline, Butler spent the latter part of last season integrating himself into a veteran core headlined by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The upcoming campaign is the first where the trio will have a full preseason together, and expectations are sky-high in the Bay Area.

Butler’s kung fu training is emblematic of his approach—relentless, always searching for a new edge, and fully engaged both physically and culturally. The visit was also tied to Butler’s promotional activities, including the launch of his Li-Ning JB3 sneakers on tour in China, where he is now treated as an international basketball ambassador.

The Warriors, while poking fun at the prospect of a “martial arts fight” breaking out on the NBA floor, recognize what Butler’s summer symbolizes: adaptability, broadened perspective, and a fierce readiness for the challenges ahead.

The hope in Golden State is that a little Jackie Chan magic, married to the team’s experience, can help deliver another title to the franchise’s storied collection.