The 7th-place Miami Heat have not been exceptional for the duration of this season. A packed Eastern Conference combined with poor offensive play has created a situation where Miami could easily be bounced in the play-in tournament or the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Luckily for the Miami faithful, there is still hope.
Jimmy Butler has been the Heatโs most consistent spark plug in what could be considered his most impressive season.
Miami has not been a strong offensive team. They hold the associationโs 4th-worst field goal percentage and 5th-worst 3-point percentage. Additionally, they are 28th in terms of pace and 25th in terms of offensive rating. Players such as Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Max Strus, and Caleb Martin are all capable of having high-octane scoring nights but have not proven they can be true number-one options.
Jimmy Butler is sparking the Miami Heat
The Heat have won 4 of their last 5 games thanks in large part to Butlerโs play. In that same time span, heโs averaged 26.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6 assists. Even though the 33-year-old has dealt with injuries this year, it can be argued that this has been one of, if not his most impressive campaigns. Some such as Kyle Lowry, would even place Butler in the NBAโs elite class of players.
โHeโs one of the best players in the NBA,โ Kyle Lowry told ESPN. โBoth sides of the ball. Heโs in his rhythm and heโs in his groove where he just is going and playing well.โ
Recently, Heat Head Coach Eric Spoelstra claimed that his team can compete with the NBAโs best on offense.
โWe definitely have enough,โ Spoelstra told ESPN. โAnd really our offense has been trending in a better direction, and that hasnโt just been Jimmy. Itโs been getting to our game, our attacks, our identity.โ
Even though the boys from South Beach are beginning to mesh, it is clear that the Maquette product has had less assistance this year than he has in seasons prior. In 2022, Miami had the best team 3-point percentage and averaged the 8th most assists per contest. Given that the group has not dramatically changed, it is fair to say that theyโve underachieved this season. As a result, Butler has had to score more and take on increased responsibility.
In a year where the Miami Heatโs role players have not lived up to expectations, Butler has surpassed his own. With 9 games left, he embraces what figures to be a fight to the finish.
โEverybodyโs trying to win at this point in the season; everybodyโs trying to move up,โ Butler told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.โ
Every game matters, as it has all year long. But right now for us, more than anything, we kind of have to win to be where we want to be. But I like it like that.โ
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Author: Colin Loughran
March 24, 2023 | 9:02 am
