Jimmy Butler is that guy. There's not much else left to be said about the Miami Heat's franchise player that hasn't already beed said. He's been the embodiment of #HeatCulture and the star player of a team that once again has championship aspirations.
He had that on full display on Tuesday. On a night when Jayson Tatum tried to assert himself as the star of the series in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler was the undisputed best player on the court.
Via Ira Winderman:
“I play the way I play to win,” said Butler after the Heat's 118-107 win over the Celtics.
The Celtics held a double-digit lead in the first half with Tatum continuing to make his case as a true superstar and potentially a top five player. He poured in 21 points in the first half on a Heat team that looked like a deer in the headlights at times in the opening two quarters.
Not only did Jimmy Butler match Tatum, he also made him look like a lesser star by clocking in for an even bigger half after the intermission. Jimmy Buckets saw Tatum's 21 in a single half and said “watch this”, scoring 27 of his 41 points in the second half. Butler also helped set the tone for the Heat defensively and was a huge reason why the Celtics star had six turnovers in the third quarter alone.
“I enjoy going to battle with the guys that I got against the Boston Celtics for another three wins,” said Butler on leading the way for the rest of the Heat.
ECF Game 1 Jimmy Butler:
41 points
9 rebounds
5 assists
4 steals
3 blocksMr. Jimmy Buckets. The first player in NBA Playoff history to reach these numbers since steals and blocks were recorded….
back in 1974 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZQYPHZd5WF— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 18, 2022
The NBA is a star-driven league. If you asked anyone heading into the conference finals about the brightest stars left in the field, the three other teams would easily have theirs listed before Miami's.
The Golden State Warriors have Stephen Curry. The Dallas Mavericks have Luka Doncic. And the Boston Celtics have Jayson Tatum. However way you look at it, whether it be in superstar cache, counting stats, or All-Star votes, Jimmy Butler is the fourth man on that list.
But the difference with Jimmy Butler is he clearly doesn't see it that way. He's coming at any opponent head-on, literally and figuratively, with a clear expectation that he's not the one getting knocked to the side when they butt heads. He's not “quitting first”.
“I like physicality, I want to run into people and see who falls down first. I want to see who quits first,” said the Heat star.
For the Heat to emerge as the last team standing among the final four, they'll need Jimmy Butler to play like the best player on floor for seven more wins. But if you ask him, he's not thinking about the expectations. The mans is just ready to hoop.
“I don't care if it's a big stage or a little stage. … I do what I do,” Butler continued.
Jimmy Butler is coming for the crown. After Tuesday's Game 1 performance, it looks like it's going to take a lot to knock him off that path.
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