Jimmy Butler has undoubtedly been the leader the Miami Heat needed to accelerate a retooling process in the wake of Dwyane Wade's retirement, ending an era of success and starting another. Yet his shooting percentages have greatly suffered this season, as he's shooting only 43% from the field and 27.6% from deep this season.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra isn't greatly worried, noting it will take some time for the averages to … average out:
“It's early in the season, it will level out,” said Spoelstra when asked of Butler's percentages, according to Brad Botkin of CBS Sports. “It's all about efficiency. I don't even look at that field-goal percentage number. If you factor in free throws, his percentage, he is one of the most efficient offensive basketball players in the league — points per touch, things of that nature. He's extremely efficient. You don't have to know anything about analytics, you just watch him play, it's a very coherent, stable, playoff-ready game. and you darn well know that he has the respect of the opponents that we play against, particularly when you get down the stretch.”
Spo brings up a great point: after a massive drop-off in seeking contact with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, Jimmy Butler has once again become the initiator driving to the bucket, going to the foul line 9.8 times per game and connecting at an 82.7% clip, just below his career average.
Butler is hitting free throws at a career-high pace, besting even his most fruitful 2016-17 season with the Chicago Bulls when he put up 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
The Tomball native is putting up 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game this season — impacting every play at both ends of the court, regardless of the shooting numbers.
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