Jimmy Butler starred in a controversial moment during Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals when he tried to make a go-ahead 3-pointer with 17 seconds on the clock. He missed the shot and opened the door for the Boston Celtics to finish the job and earn a spot in the NBA Finals.
That play earned him a lot of criticism and many people debated if he needed to take it or go for a layup or any other play. While many people have gone off on Butler, others have supported the veteran swingman.
One of the greatest shooters of all time, Reggie Miller, backed Butler’s attempt against the Celtics. The Indiana Pacers legend said that whenever you have the chance to make a ‘kill shot’, you should always go for it, which is what Butler did. During a recent interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Reggie had this to say (3:00):
“You go for the kill shot when you have the moment,” Miller said. “The kill shot was the three.”
“It was a clear three, and I know his statistics aren’t great but I would live and die with Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, whomever, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, I would live and die with those guys taking a kill shot knowing all the circumstances.”
If he made that shot and the Heat ended up winning the game, everybody would have praised him, but things don’t go in our favor sometimes, and Jimmy doesn’t have a problem with that. He’s ready to bounce back next year, as he claimed that the Heat will win it all in the 2022/23 season.
Miami still has a competitive squad and we could see them having a deep run again. Butler wants to win that ring and perhaps having a healthy team behind them is what he needs to get that title.
