It’s a simple gesture that perfectly sums up Jimmy Butler’s leadership. While he has just been elected MVP of the Eastern Conference final against Boston, the latter is offered the Eastern Conference champion trophy from the hands of Bam Adebayo. With his gaze, he refuses, before adding: “I’ll take the next one. » Understood: the Larry O’Brien trophy for NBA champion…
A sequence captured by the cameras, where everything is played in the attitude of the Miami star. A leader who displays his confidence, which allows it to spread to all those around him. And in Florida, it works.
“I never panic, I am very calm”describes Jimmy Butler at a press conference. “I’m consistent in everything I do, before, during or after the game. And I think when my teammates watch me do that, then they do the same. I like that about them: they never panic either. Many of my teammates have made me this leader who is in front of you. I am not perfect, but I am me. My leadership style fits Miami well. I have to give credit to Dwyane Wade, who told me about the culture here and how compatible it is with me. It’s a perfect marriage. »
The other Heat players will be able to talk about it even more, even if Bam Adebayo has trouble drawing the outlines of Jimmy Butler’s leadership. “It’s hard to explain because he does it differently than people think. I would just say it’s different”slide inside for the Sun Sentinel.
A fierce competitor who wasn’t always a star
Erik Spoelstra and Duncan Robinson already have more to offer. “Jimmy is a leader with his mindset, his soul, his competitive spirit,” lists the Heat coach. “We could write a novel about his leadership,” continues the shooter. “He does it his way. Butler is a calming presence. The experience and the work provided explain this. He is prepared for these times. He combines this with his competitive spirit. »
Kyle Lowry confirms the relentless state of mind of the former Chicago, Minnesota and Philadelphia player. “He is one of those who loves competition, everywhere and all the time, whether for a game of cards or something else”, says the leader. “He’s the ultimate competitor. We feel good with a player like that in a team. »
Another important element in this formation of Miami: the pedigree of Jimmy Butler. If he became All-Star over the years, as well as a benchmark in the playoffs, we must never forget that he was only drafted in 30th position in 2011. And we know that, at the Heat, non- drafted or who were not among the first chosen are very numerous. It is even part of the identity of Erik Spolestra’s troops.
“It matters, we talk about it all the time. Our leader was drafted 30th”recalls Caleb Martin, undrafted, who knew the G-League. “He wasn’t a big draft pick. His background is very similar to ours. He was overlooked by many, in high school and college. He was not courted by the biggest universities. Watching such a player gives hope and puts things into perspective. You can’t have everything at the same time, it takes two or three years for some, sometimes nine for others. But we have to keep working. »
| Jimmy Butler | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2011-12 | CHI | 42 | 9 | 40.5 | 18.2 | 76.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2012-13 | CHI | 82 | 26 | 46.7 | 38.1 | 80.3 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.6 |
| 2013-14 | CHI | 67 | 39 | 39.7 | 28.3 | 76.9 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 13.1 |
| 2014-15 | CHI | 65 | 39 | 46.2 | 37.8 | 83.4 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2015-16 | CHI | 67 | 37 | 45.5 | 31.1 | 83.2 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 20.9 |
| 2016-17 | CHI | 76 | 37 | 45.5 | 36.7 | 86.5 | 1.7 | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 23.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIN | 59 | 37 | 47.4 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 22.2 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 65 | 34 | 46.2 | 34.7 | 85.5 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 18.7 |
| 2018-19 * | PHL | 55 | 33 | 46.1 | 33.8 | 86.8 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 18.2 |
| 2018-19 * | MIN | 10 | 36 | 47.1 | 37.8 | 78.7 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.3 |
| 2019-20 | MIA | 58 | 34 | 45.5 | 24.4 | 83.4 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 52 | 34 | 49.7 | 24.5 | 86.3 | 1.8 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 21.5 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 57 | 34 | 48.0 | 23.3 | 87.0 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 21.4 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 64 | 33 | 53.9 | 35.0 | 85.0 | 2.2 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 22.9 |
| Total | 754 | 33 | 46.8 | 32.2 | 84.2 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 18.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
