Butler is capable not only of slowing down Lebron on offense, but he's also capable of making him work hard on defence. Not many players out there who can do both, and that's a huge weapon against Cleveland. Especially now that Lebton is getting to his 30s and has more wear on those tyres...making him work hard for everuthibg, every night, is the best way to beat him.
Kyrie is not as good as IT4 on offense, and isnt much better on defence either, so Thomas should win that matchup most nights. He'll also demand doubles because no way Kyrie can defend him on his own.
Horford isn't quite as good as love offensively, but he's a lot better defensively. About equal matchup, but if love is hurt that matchup goes massively in Boston's favour.
Crowder and Bradley are both far netter all round players them Korver, and Boston has a better coach and probably a better bench.
Cleveland also have chemistry issues, and seem to be emotoonally falling apart at the seams.
With Butker, Boston has a very real chance of knocking the Cavs off in a 7 game series. Very real.
The core of Thomas, Bradley|Crowder, Butler and Horford is also a pretty solid match for Curry, Thompson, Durant and Green.
I mean the Warriors do have the edge with that Thompson vs Bradley|Crowder matchup, but the overall matchup advantage isnt as heavily in the Warrior's favour as people might think. We probably lose, but we could give them a very tough run.
With the team constructed as it currently is, even beating the Cavs is highly unlikely. Crowder isnt enough of an offensive threat to really make Lebron ise any effort on defense, so he can cruise on D and preserve his energy for destroying us on offense. This way Thomas and Horford need to collectively dominate Kyrie and Love every night just to give us a fightibg chance.
Butler's presence makes all the difference.