Jimmy Butler is widely viewed as an All-NBA level player by people across the league, and a lot of people would consider him a superstar. He led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals during the 2019-20 season, and perhaps he’ll repeat his feat again in the 2021-22 season after a subpar showing in the 2020-21 playoffs.
The NBA has recently adjusted how fouls on the perimeter would be called, with free throws no longer being awarded for “unnatural shooting motions”. Jimmy Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee revealed that he had some concerns about how this change would affect Jimmy Butler’s game.
After all, drawing contact and going to the line is a big part of Jimmy Butler’s game, as evidenced by his 8.0 FTA during the 2020-21 season. However, it seems as though Jimmy Butler wasn’t worried at all, repeatedly telling his agent to “shut up” when those concerns were voiced. Lee also lauded Butler for being awarded 11 FTA in a half during the Miami Heat’s preseason game against the Boston Celtics, claiming that “talent is an amazing thing”.
https://twitter.com/BernieoLee/status/1449159604911357956
I’ve spent all summer telling JB abt the rule changes and how I thought they would effect him.. he’s told me to shut up every time… (when he leave I start talking again) 1st game of regular mins he shoots 11 FT’s in a half.. talent is an amazing thing
Jimmy Butler isn’t known as an elite 3PT shooter, preferring to get his shot attempts at the rim or in the midrange area. The rule was designed to stop players such as Trae Young and James Harden from drawing fouls on jump shots, rather than players such as Butler from drawing fouls from contact at the rim.
It remains to be seen how far the Miami Heat will go next season, and Jimmy Butler will be crucial in how far they are able to get. Luckily for him, the foul rule won’t really affect his performance, meaning that the Miami Heat will likely have a really successful season.
