Jimmy Butler has gone from a do-it-all gem for the Minnesota Timberwolves to a superstar Swiss army knife for the Philadelphia 76ers after being traded early in the season. His numbers don't reflect the All-Star that he's been the last four seasons (18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.9 steals), yet it reflects the kind of player he wants to be for this roster.
The trade for Tobias Harris has seen a decline in his usage rate, according to Rich Hofmann of The Athletic, but one that doesn't matter as much when his fourth-quarter opportunities are almost the same as before the sharpshooter came along.
First quarter: 18.8% overall, 15.6% post-Harris trade
Second quarter: 20.2% overall, 19.5% post-Harris trade
Third quarter: 20.3% overall, 18.9% post-Harris trade
Fourth quarter: 27.7% overall, 27.6% post-Harris trade
Head coach Brett Brown has hinted that much of the playoff offense will feature Butler, but it is Butler’s defense one-on-one defense that could ultimately prove the major difference-maker coming into this postseason. His reputation on that end of the floor has far outweighed the numbers he's put up throughout the regular season.
Butler is a unique player, one capable of going through the motions for the first three quarters and awakening the beast in the fourth quarter, delivering heady passes, game-winners, and clutch stops on defense — making him one valuable asset for this team.
With questions to Joel Embiid's health heading into the first round against the Brooklyn Nets, the spotlight is sure to be on Butler at both ends of the floor, unless the Sixers' big man is fit to play.
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