The Miami Heat have looked really good over the past few contests. After cracking and badly, on their road trip out west, the Miami Heat have, since, rang off three straight victories.
Winning their first after the road trip, The Bam Game, over the Brooklyn Nets and though, without James Harden and Kevin Durant after early in the first period, the Miami Heat were able to get that done without Jimmy Butler in the lineup.
In their second game, without Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo in the lineup, they were able to get another victory over the Houston Rockets. Though beating the Rockets isn’t anything to celebrate, the fact that they were able to handle their business without their stars in the lineup is encouraging.
They were also able to knock off the Spurs on Wednesday night, holding them to just 87 points and also holding their leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, to just 15 points.
While the team, as a whole, had a ton to do with that, the team’s two leaders and best defenders also had a ton to do with that. While one, Bam Adebayo, seems to be receiving all the praise and top-consideration (rightfully deserved) for the NBA’s Defensive Player Of The Year award, the other isn’t.
That isn’t a shocker though, as he should be at the top of the running, but won’t be. What are the obstacles that stand in Jimmy Butler’s way though when it comes to winning that award?
It’s a good question and here are the top three answers.