Draymond Green distinguishes between 82-game players and 16-game players. A way to differentiate basketball players cut for the regular season and those who are built for the playoffs. An expression that came up in the discussion after the 45 points of Jimmy Butler against the Atlanta Hawks last week. For the back of the Miami Heat, no doubt: he belongs to the second category.
“He made us win the match,” admitted Kyle Lowry. “It’s a team sport but his efforts have been spectacular. (…) He has to turn into Jimmy Buckets at this time of year and there is not even a need to remind him. »
His reputation precedes him. Butler is not necessarily the most prominent player during the regular season. Although six times All-Star, he counts “only”, be careful, it’s relative, four All-NBA selections. And every time in the third five. He is good for 82 matches. Then he excels next.
As proof, his statistics once again on the rise. He averages 30.5 points after four playoff games, compared to 21.4 during the season. His percentages have also skyrocketed: from 48 to 54% on shots and from 23 to 43% behind the arc. He even takes more and more three-pointers. 4 attempts per game.
“He finally takes them,” remarked Gabe Vincent. “Jimmy is an excellent player in attack and defense, he has already proven it many times. But now that he is trying for three-pointers with confidence, his attacking game has taken on another dimension. »
This confidence is also the result of a change of mindset. Jimmy Butler is driven by the matches that really matter. The rest, at this stage of his career, it annoys him at times. Besides, he never really gave himself during the All-Star Games for example. The concept does not resonate with him. What he needs is the stakes, a good battle with a specific objective to seek.
He sublimates in those moments. His 7 straight points in the final minutes of Game 2 stunned the Hawks. Especially since he also strives to slow down Trae Young in defence. But with 8.3 points on average in the fourth quarter, at 54% moreover, he is one of the most productive players in money time since the start of the playoffs.
Jimmy Butler, victory as the only driving force
It’s very important for the Heat that JB evolves above his usual level. The Floridians may have finished first in their Conference, but they do not enjoy the same status as the Milwaukee Bucks or even the Golden State Warriors. Because they don’t have a super talent in their workforce, which is very dense and very interesting. It’s a bit as if the Heat had all the ingredients to go to the end except this top-5 or top-8 player able to make the difference at the top.
To illustrate the point, imagine this team with Kevin Durant instead of Jimmy Butler. Or even LeBron James. Crazy, isn’t it? But leaders make do with what they have. And so it’s Butler. An NBA star, probably a top-12 player in the playoffs… sometimes even better. As in 2020, when he had led his people to the finals, notably leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo et Jayson Tatum.
“I’m a different player now,” qualified the interested party all the same. “I don’t have the ball in my hands as much anymore. It’s Kyle [Lowry] the leader. And it’s great. I’m just trying to score. We are a different and stronger team. We are better that way. »
An even more successful collective with a more formidable defense but also better diversified talents. Nevertheless, even in these moments, it takes a star that shines more than the others to guide the troops. And that player can only be Jimmy Butler in Miami. A pure “16-game player”, it does not move.
