This is one of the iconic images of recent years: Jimmy Butler, exhausted, arms resting on billboards. It was in the “bubble”, and the Heat star had achieved feat after feat to bring his team to the final, before physically cracking against the Lakers.
Bis repeated this year since “Jimmy Buckets” no longer had the legs, nor the breath in this final. We can even say that he cracked from the middle of the series against the Celtics, and he never managed to find the juice. Tonight, the All-Star back had a nightmare for 35 minutes. Brick on brick (2 out of 10 on shots after three quarters), and then suddenly waking up.
Like the greatest champions, Butler decides to give it his all. Result: 13 points in a row to allow the Heat to come back in front! It’s hard, or with the generous help of the referees, as on the three throws granted on an imaginary fault by Aaron Gordon. But Butler won’t leave the stage without a fight until the end.
An incredible start before ruining everything…
But this burst of pride will be spoiled by a stray bullet. There are less than 30 seconds to play, Bruce Brown has just restored the advantage to the Nuggets (90-89). Butler approaches the circle then changes his mind, and takes the ball out. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope anticipated well, and he steals the ball. Kyle Lowry fouls, and KCP puts his two shots (92-89). Behind the time-out, Butler wants to catch up, and he takes the 3-pointer, challenged by Aaron Gordon, and he sends a brick. Brown, again, takes the rebound, and he validates the victory and the NBA title for the Nuggets on throws.
In the end, what does he retain from this fifth round? “That I lost the ball. That’s what stands out.” he lets go. “We just missed shots. That’s how it is in the NBA… If you put in two or three more shots, like we’ve been doing all year… I think we had done enough to win. We defended well. We have always been in a position to win. You don’t have to score 100 points to win a basketball game. »
“We were not up to it, but I am privileged”
Four years after his arrival, and after two lost NBA finals, what does he remember from this adventure with the Heat? “I’m probably very grateful to be able to play with these guys. You never know what the team will look like next year, or the year after. I’m just grateful. I learned a lot. They taught me so much. I wish I could have done it for them, because they really deserve it” Butler replies. “But the one thing I’ll take away is that I’m very grateful to have been able to play with them. I had some great teammates to play with me who gave us a chance to win a title. And I still believe, deep down, that we will. These four years have been great. It’s always great to be wanted, loved and appreciated. I don’t think that will change. But for now, I’m just grateful to have come this far. We were not up to it, but I am privileged. I’m lucky. »
