After getting swept by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks last season, the Miami Heat came into this campaign with a lot to prove. Even though they finished as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference, a lot of questions were asked about their ability and that of their star player, Jimmy Butler. The Atlanta Hawks were expected to be tricky opponents with Trae Young as the main threat, but the Heat are on the cusp of seeing them out of the playoffs in 5 games.
And the best player on the team so far has undoubtedly been Jimmy Butler. Butler is averaging 30.5 points per game in the first 4 games as well as nearly 8 rebounds, his numbers have taken an incredible leap from the regular season. He’s scored 45 in one game and 36 in another, and his incredible performances have earned him high praise from none other than JJ Redick.
Heat Lifer JJ Redick spittin’ yet again 🗣🗣🗣 pic.twitter.com/tv0YfxlHF4
— 𝘼𝙇𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙨 ™ (@AIR305) April 26, 2022
“I don’t know who needs to hear this by the way ’cause it’s not on the docket,” Redick said during a recent appearance on ESPN. “It’s not on the docket for today, but Jimmy Butler has been the best player in these playoffs. … He’s been far and away the best player in these playoffs.”
Butler has the 5th most points in these playoffs and is shooting 54.3% from the field and 43.8% from the line, truly elite percentages. He has been elite defensively, leading the playoffs in steals so far, as well as in defensive win shares. There’s no doubt that Butler is shutting up his critics with these performances.
Jordan Poole, Jalen Brunson, Jayson Tatum, all these players have also made a case to be considered the best player in the playoffs, but considering that most players have barely played 5 games, it might be too soon to call anyone the best. That’s not to say of course, that Butler doesn’t have the case as the best so far because he does.
