The Miami Heat got a much-needed win Monday night. It’s no coincidence that Jimmy Butler was back.
The Miami Heat got a much-needed victory on Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After dropping their previous game to the Dallas Mavericks, the Miami Heat wanted to come back on the floor to right the ship.
That’s just what they did. Something or someone, shall we say, was different about the starting unit the Miami Heat put on the floor though, at least different from what we have seen over the last two or three contests.
Yes, in case you guessed, Jimmy Butler was back. He was missed during his short absence, believe us.
Here’s the thing though, the Miami Heat looked like a completely different team with Jimmy out there. They looked more calm, under control, less tense, and in the flow of things.
The Miami Heat just aren’t the same team when Jimmy isn’t out there.
They just play differently when their leader is out there. So, to answer the question at hand, whether it’s fair to judge this Heat team when Jimmy doesn’t play, that answer is yes.
It’s always fair because they are professionals too. However, we do have to take that with a grain of salt or at least recognize it for what it is.
We oftentimes say it and have to remind others or outsiders that Jimmy is our most talented player, even if he isn’t what a traditional superstar looks like, from the perspective of exploding offensively every night. When he’s on the floor, everything is just that much easier for the Miami Heat though and that’s what a true superstar is.
Yes, he operates as the point guard or main ball handler a ton, but it’s bigger than just that. He inspires a quiet confidence among his teammates that you can just see pouring out of them when he’s on the floor.
They move differently. Everything they do is with purpose, as opposed to with hope when he’s not there.
When Jimmy is on the floor, you feel like the shots are going to fall from whoever they go up from. When he isn’t, you just pray they do.
It’s really weird but you can feel it as a fan too. So, again, it’s always fair to judge them, as they are professionals too, but there is a caveat.
This team is twice as good with Jimmy Butler on the floor and that’s because his swag, his demeanor, and his calm rubs off on the other guys. And You just love to see it!