Just how good was Jimmy Butler III with the Miami Heat? After being traded to the Golden State Warriors and publicly expressing dissatisfaction with Pat Riley and the Heat organization, Butler faced heavy criticism from the NBA media.
He’s changed teams multiple times throughout his career and was even thought of as a potentially toxic locker-room presence at one point. While Butler may have been a handful for the Heat to deal with at the end, there’s no denying that he helped the team become a title contender.
‘Playoff Jimmy’ — Jimmy Butler III’s Career Stats With Heat
Throughout his time with the Heat, Butler averaged 21 points, 5.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. Those numbers are fairly impressive on their own; however, Butler took his game to the next level in the playoffs.
In just four seasons with the Heat, Butler played in 64 playoff games. He averaged 24.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the postseason. He is one of the few stars in the league who plays better when the lights shine brighter.
Butler was also regularly acknowledged for his elite play with the Heat. He made three All-Star Game rosters, earned three All-NBA nods, and led the league in steals in 2021. While he was impressive with his other teams, he was at his best in Miami.
While Butler delivered several standout performances in Miami, one of his biggest moments came in Game 4 of the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs — the highest-scoring game of his career.
The Heat finished the year as the eighth seed and barely made the playoffs, but having Butler on the roster made them a threat, unlike the average eighth seed. They matched up with the Milwaukee Bucks, who were the top seed in the East.
To the surprise of the NBA world, Butler led Miami to a 4-1 series win, including a jaw-dropping 56-point performance in Game 4 that pushed the Bucks to the brink of elimination.
Fans were blown away by Butler’s ability to elevate his game in the postseason. Another huge performance came when he dropped 47 points against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals on May 7, 2022.
What sets Butler apart is more than his scoring. He’s also known for his energy, intensity, and trash talk, even when his team is behind. He’s proven himself to be a big-shot player who can take over in clutch moments, which is especially impressive considering he entered the league known more for his defense.
Now, Butler is likely the second-best player with Golden State when the team is healthy.
