Jimmy Butler is prepared to carry the Miami Heat deep into the NBA Playoffs.
Some players are just built for the big moments ready for the spotlight when the lights are shining the brightest and not shying away. When I saw Jimmy Butler drop a playoff career-high 45 points against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series, I immediately flashed back to 2020 and his performance in the NBA Finals when he average a ridiculous 26.2 points, 8.3 rebounds with 9.8 assists in six grueling games against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Butler possesses that rare ability to put the pedal to the metal in the postseason. On top of that, he plays with the type of intensity that is rarely seen anymore as he has definitely earned his respect around the league.
How Butler turns defense into offense with his hustle and talent on the defensive end is astounding and even though Butler is overshadowed by other players it’s his intangibles that separate him from the rest of them. He may not average MVP-caliber number during the regular season but the playoffs are the stage where Butler has shined his brightest.
He’s just one of those hard-working, hard-nosed tough players who never gives up on a play and can take a home crowd out of a game. Butler doesn’t always fill up the stat sheet but the game he just had reminded me of his scoring potential and how big of a competitor he is.
If we go back and look at the stats from Game 2, only three other players besides Butler scored in double figures. When the Miami Heat struggled, it was Butler who put the team on his back and carried them. But that goes to show how dangerous the Heat can be when the entire team is on one accord offensively.
Also, examine the fact that Butler has improved every team he’s ever played for. The Heat have so many offensive weapons that Butler doesn’t have to put up big numbers for them to win. He’s always been a passive player always trying to make plays for his teammates but he can hit the switch and transform into “Jimmy Buckets” whenever the situation calls for it.
Butler shot 4-7 from downtown in the Heat’s Game 2 victory which is something Butler ever hardly does as he was only a 23 percent shooter from behind the arc in the regular season. Butler and the Heat are in prime position as they will go to Atlanta in a hostile playoff atmosphere and try to close out the series and rest up for the East Semifinals.
Their likely opponent will likely be the Philadelphia 76ers as there will be plenty of headlines and stories to follow with that series as Butler would face his former squad. However, the series may unfold, expect Butler to be prepared to face the challenge of leading and taking over.