Even though Jimmy Butler played more games during the regular season than ever before, former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas still said that Butler wasn’t among the NBA’s top-20 players.
Butler did not play in all 65 NBA games this season, which prevented him from being considered for prizes like the league MVP and an All-NBA nomination. Butler played in just 60 games for the Heat during the regular season.
The next question posed to Arenas by Kenyon Martin was if Butler, who plays 65 games in the regular season, is ranked among the top-15 or top-20 players in the NBA. Arenas answered, “Nah,” with a simple shake of his head.
Averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, Butler had a strong 2023–24 regular season. He also shot a career-high 41.4 percent from beyond the arc and 49.9 percent from the field.
But Butler scored 19.9 points per game on average, the fewest points per game he has scored since his debut season in Miami (2019–20). In the 2023–24 season, he was likewise not selected as an All-Star.
Butler might have had higher stats had he played in more games during the regular season, but Heat supporters are aware that Butler performs better during the postseason.
Butler has guided the Heat to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances and two NBA Finals appearances in his five seasons with the franchise.
Arenas acknowledged Butler’s alter ego, “Playoff Jimmy,” when discussing his upcoming contract—or prospective contract—with the Heat.
“What happens in that contract year—we all know that contracts come with responsibilities—and he chooses to insert Jimmy, the playoff Jimmy, into the regular season in order to reach the 65?” Arenas enquired. “I have to pay him supermax now.”
Although Arenas might not have thought Butler’s 2023–24 regular season play was good enough to earn him a spot in the top 20, it is evident that he still has admiration for what the Heat star can accomplish in the postseason.
This season, the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs following Butler’s injury during the play-in tournament against the Philadelphia 76ers.
I’m hoping Butler can prove he’s one of the best players in the league by getting healthy and taking the Heat on another winning season.
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