Kendrick Perkins Calls Jimmy Butler A ‘Postseason Superstar’ In Glowing Review: “He Knows It’s A Marathon Not A Sprint.”

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Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Every NBA fan can name a great regular-season player who becomes a worse version of themselves in the playoffs. From James Harden to Chris Paul, there are a number of guys in the league who seem to always drop the ball come playoff time.

But could the opposite be true as well? That’s the question some are asking after Jimmy Butler’s postseason performance so far. In the aftermath of his 41-point showing in Game 1 against Boston, Kendrick Perkins appeared on NBA Today to laud Butler’s play and his ability to elevate his game with so much at stake:

“Postseason superstar, that’s what Jimmy Butler is,” Perkins argued. “Why I say that is, he understands the assignment now. The worst thing that could have happened in the NBA was him going to the Finals two years ago, cause now he knows it’s a marathon and not a sprint. He doesn’t care about the regular season. And when I say ‘don’t care’ I mean he’s not really focused on making the All-Star team, he’s not focused on leading the league in scoring, He knows, I need my body to be fresh I need to be the best at winning when it matters the most. Then, all of a sudden, he turns it on and becomes a top 5 player in the NBA as soon as the postseason started.”

Butler, 32, doesn’t get the same recognition and respect as some of his peers, but none of that matters to him. He’s as locked in now as he has ever been — and we’re seeing a new level of his game.

During the regular season, he averaged 21.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 48% shooting. In the playoffs so far, he’s averaging 29.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game on 53% shooting. He has been better in almost every way, and it’s no doubt a huge reason why Miami is three wins away from an NBA Finals appearance.

Game 2 is on Thursday in Miami, and Butler will no doubt be ready to take a 2-0 series lead.

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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