It’s been a down year for Jimmy Butler’s three-point shot in his inaugural season with the Miami Heat. Can he find his rhythm ahead of NBA Orlando?
Jimmy Butler‘s been an MVP-caliber player on every level for the Miami Heat this season, but has been stuck in a six month shooting slump. A career 33 percent shooter from deep, the latest star power to land in South Beach is shooting just 25 percent this year.
From his 2014-2015 campaign, where he won Most Improved Player, Butler has never connected on less than 67 shots from deep in a season. This year, he’s made just 29. In that same span that’s seen him earn five All-Star honors, Butler’s never averaged less than a single make per game.
Now in year 10, he’s averaging just (0.5) makes from deep. It’s uncanny. That ranks him 11th on this roster headed into the final stretch in terms of three-pointers made per game.
He’s connected on zero shots from three quite literally twice as many times (36) as he has made one or more from behind the arc (18). There isn’t any noticeable difference in his shooting stroke, and his other two shooting percentages are sitting right at career average.
Butler hasn’t been trigger happy (2.2 attempts nightly) but did have a game where he put up 10 shots from deep, and made six; his season-high 37 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics:
You definitely wouldn’t know he’s in a shooting slump given the numbers. Butler’s posting 20.2 points per game along with career-highs in rebounds (6.6) and assists (6.1).
And the Miami Heat are still a prominent three-point team, averaging 13.4 makes on 34.8 attempts nightly. They’re a top-10 team in every three-point statistic per NBA.com. So do they need Butler to start making his shots, or can they survive his slump even throughout playoffs?
It’s only due to the rise of Miami’s youth, that he’s gotten cut slack this year. (That and the team’s 41-24 record through 65 games and 4th seed positioning in the Eastern Conference of course.)
Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are making a combined 5.8 shots on 13.8 attempts nightly.
The latter nearly leads the league in shooting percentage from three and the former is having one of the best rookie seasons from deep in Heat history. And yet, given their age and/or level of experience, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this kind of production fall off in the postseason.
Should that happen Butler will need to find a way to start connecting from deep in some consistent fashion. It could prove make or break for the Heat in specific playoff matchups.
Jimmy Butler’s three-point shot is going to come back, in some form or fashion. He can’t shoot below average numbers forever, given his track record and monster work ethic.
While the Miami Heat are likely fine without it this year, they’ll be anxiously waiting to see a return to his previous shooting percentages going forward as they chase another championship.