Is Jimmy Butler the best player in the playoffs so far? The debate may seem futile, but it’s obvious that the Miami fullback/winger is a more than credible candidate.
In nine games, he turns in effect to 28.3 points at 54% of shooting success including 37% at 3-pointers, 7.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.2 steals on average since the start of serious things. Just with these numbers, these are already, by far, his best career playoffs.
“He is a huge competitor, it is inscribed in him. He’s the ultimate competitor.”describes Erik Spoelstra. “When it counts, he understands what needs to be done on both sides of the pitch. That’s what he’s been doing for us for three years. He plays fiercely but with stability. It’s unique. The whole team has enormous confidence in him when he has the ball in his hands. We are comfortable leaving the decision to him. He is a very effective player offensively. »
In addition to his very good individual statistics, his collective impact is significant. With Jimmy Butler on the field during these playoffs, the Heat scored 102 more points than their opponent. When the former Chicago, Minnesota and Philadelphia player is on the bench, Miami is outplayed by five points.
“He’s a dog, he plays hard”compares PJ Tucker. “He’s smart, he knows how to play. But the most important thing is that he plays hard, very hard. That’s what I like about him, he gives 120% on every action. He never gives up. He fights and that’s all we can ask of him. »
By leading 3-2 against the Sixers, the Heat are only one victory away from the conference final and, at 32, Jimmy Butler has never seemed so in harmony with his game.
“My teammates, my coaches, the franchise as a whole believe in the player I have become over the years”he says. “They allowed me to be here, to just play and not talk too much. They are with me, no matter the conditions. It’s the best feeling in the world, especially right now, during the playoffs. »
| Jimmy Butler | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2011-12 | CHI | 42 | 9 | 40.5 | 18.2 | 76.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2012-13 | CHI | 82 | 26 | 46.7 | 38.1 | 80.3 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.6 |
| 2013-14 | CHI | 67 | 39 | 39.7 | 28.3 | 76.9 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 13.1 |
| 2014-15 | CHI | 65 | 39 | 46.2 | 37.8 | 83.4 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2015-16 | CHI | 67 | 37 | 45.5 | 31.1 | 83.2 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 20.9 |
| 2016-17 | CHI | 76 | 37 | 45.5 | 36.7 | 86.5 | 1.7 | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 23.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIN | 59 | 37 | 47.4 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 22.2 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 65 | 34 | 46.2 | 34.7 | 85.5 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 18.7 |
| 2018-19 * | PHL | 55 | 33 | 46.1 | 33.8 | 86.8 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 18.2 |
| 2018-19 * | MIN | 10 | 36 | 47.1 | 37.8 | 78.7 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.3 |
| 2019-20 | MIA | 58 | 34 | 45.5 | 24.4 | 83.4 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 52 | 34 | 49.7 | 24.5 | 86.3 | 1.8 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 21.5 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 57 | 34 | 48.0 | 23.3 | 87.0 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 21.4 |
| Total | 690 | 33 | 46.0 | 32.1 | 84.1 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 17.7 | |
