Jimmy Butler spoke candidly about his famous playoff moniker and what those expectations do to him.
The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their playoff series. After a brilliant Game 1, last night’s outing was a lot tougher for them.
The star of the show during Game 1 was Jimmy Butler. As Stephen Curry got hurt, the focus shifted to Jimmy Butler to carry the team.
Butler stepped up to deliver a great 20-point performance in Game 1. It was an outing that justified Butler’s $121 million price tag.
Players like Buddy Hield feel more confident with ‘Playoff’ Jimmy Butler on their side. But how does Jimmy feel about the long-running nickname?
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Jimmy Butler spoke after Game 2 about the fans expecting him to transform into ‘Playoff Jimmy’ – a moniker he has earned after several fairytale playoff runs where he played at an incredible level.
In simple terms, Butler doesn’t feel any pressure because he doesn’t see it as a burden. He wants to play the right way and do what his team needs him to.
“I don’t have a burden or expectation. I play basketball the right way. If that time comes where people that are saying whatever, supposed to score 40 or 43, I’m capable of it.”
“But I love making sure my guys are comfortable, passing the ball to them, taking the right shots at the right time. But we will talk about it. If that may be needed, who knows?”
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Without Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors will be leaning on Jimmy Butler to carry them to success.
And who better to put the team on his back than Jimmy Butler? This is a player who has shown time and again that he was built for the big moments.
His time with the Heat, when he carried a roster far worse than the Warriors squad he played with to multiple NBA Finals, has proven that he can be a leader.
If anything, playing without Stephen Curry will allow Butler to regain his form as a superstar-level player in the playoffs.
