Jimmy Butler having a Jordan/LeBron-esque playoff run

[rate_]

Updated through 9 playoff games:

28/8/6 on 54/37/82 splits | 32.1 PER | 13.5 BPM | .343 WS/48

[CoP]

Definitely impressive even if it is a pretty small sample size against mediocre to bad defenses. I'm sure he is also highly motivated to stick it to his old team that essentially chose Ben Simmons over him.

[tsherkin]

Butler can't play anyone but the teams in his bracket, so it's not suuuper fair to rip on him for that. He's playing really well right now. Leading the postseason in SPG, shooting almost 59% inside the arc, actually a viable threat from beyond the arc, scoring efficiency beyond even what he did in the 2020 postseason, and with a lot less of a whistle than he had during that run. 2020 PS, he had .647 FTr to lean on, and it's .426 right now, which is far more reasonable. He had a jumper in the 2020 playoffs inside the arc, and he has a short J this year but hasn't been hitting the long 2 competently. Different ways, man.

He's finishing around the rim at Lebron levels on a third of his overall shots, though, which is why this is happening. No one has been able to stop him from getting to the basket, so he's just eating everyone alive. We'll see how that bears out in later rounds if they advance, but there is definitely some sense that this will regress if the Heat move forward. But like, regress from "holy jeez, this is incredible, all-time stuff" to probably "this is a really good postseason."

[ropjhk]

He's been really good this post season but I would need to see him average more shots per game before I would describe him as being Jordanesque.

[Stromile12]

I'm always impressed when I watch Jimmy in an important game. You can trust that he will always show up in some facet. He's not the type that's going to dissappear when times get tough.

[tsherkin]

He's been really good this post season but I would need to see him average more shots per game before I would describe him as being Jordanesque.

That 7.0% TOV certainly looks it though, hahaha. I think it's a bit early as well, and his usage load isn't in Jordan's zone either, but it's still pretty impressive.

[DroseReturnChi]

imagine saying tatum is better. i was right. butler is pretty much wade 2.0 for heat its tragic he wasnt drafted there.

[rate_]

imagine saying tatum is better. i was right. butler is pretty much wade 2.0 for heat its tragic he wasnt drafted there.

I wouldn't go that far, but Jimmy's been great nonetheless.

[Appostis]

Or maybe he just has not played any teams with a solid wing/guard defender?

Hawks a defensive force? Harden or Maxie slowing him down?

[shoresy69]

Butler has been amazing but they haven't even wrapped up round 2 yet. We've seen players besides Jordan/LeBron perform similarly through two rounds.

[BFRESH44]

Or maybe he just has not played any teams with a solid wing/guard defender?

Hawks a defensive force? Harden or Maxie slowing him down?

This doesn’t take away from anything. Those teams not having competent enough wing defenders to slow him down is on them. Not Butler (who is an elite 2 way player himself). You play who is in-front of you.

[rate_]

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[Appostis]

Or maybe he just has not played any teams with a solid wing/guard defender?

Hawks a defensive force? Harden or Maxie slowing him down?

This doesn’t take away from anything. Those teams not having competent enough wing defenders to slow him down is on them. Not Butler (who is an elite 2 way player himself). You play who is in-front of you.

It kinda does...

[BFRESH44]

Or maybe he just has not played any teams with a solid wing/guard defender?

Hawks a defensive force? Harden or Maxie slowing him down?

This doesn’t take away from anything. Those teams not having competent enough wing defenders to slow him down is on them. Not Butler (who is an elite 2 way player himself). You play who is in-front of you.

It kinda does...

Perhaps to realGM user Appostis

But that’s still not going to take away from the overall performance I fear.

[FinNasty]

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[Appostis]

This doesn’t take away from anything. Those teams not having competent enough wing defenders to slow him down is on them. Not Butler (who is an elite 2 way player himself). You play who is in-front of you.

It kinda does...

Perhaps to realGM user Appostis

But that’s still not going to take away from the overall performance I fear.

When he continues in the playoffs and plays against actual solid wings/guard defenders and his numbers fall back to earth to" been good not great" levels..

Context matter.

Those bulls..what was it? 2-20 Against Playoff Teams this season. If we don't consider games vs those teams..they have an amazing record!!! Must be best team ever.
Context.. it matters.

[DonaldSanders]

Jimmy has been amazing, give credit. But... let's wait until his post season finishes before geeking out too hard on his stats, especially when comparing him to players that played in the finals.

[MartyConlonJr]

imagine saying tatum is better. i was right. butler is pretty much wade 2.0 for heat its tragic he wasnt drafted there.

link

[DroseReturnChi]

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yep i had a conspiracy theory jimmy was mj's forbidden son from a mistress. matches well with no father.
butlers mentality rivals mj he just doesnt have the hardware. if he had mj's body man he would have been goat easily destroying lebum.

[Pelly24]

Jimmy's been a top 10 player for six or so years now. Love the all-around utility of his game. Great as a 1st option, second option or third option because he defends well, is a good cutter, knocks down free throws and is a great playmaker.