Miami Heat: Why Jimmy Butler Should Closely Study Michael Jordan’s Career

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles the basketball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first period of game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles the basketball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first period of game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
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Miami Heat
Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley (34) laughs at a foul call with Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) in the first half 28 January 1996 at the United Center in Chicago.(BRIAN BAHR/AFP via Getty Images)

The leader of the Miami Heat on the court has been Jimmy Butler for the past two years. In his first year with the team, he led the Heat to their first NBA Finals appearance in six years.

In that series, Butler averaged a near triple-double, with 26.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 8.3 rebounds a game. He also became the first player to outscore, out-rebound, and out-assist LeBron James in an NBA Finals game.

Although Butler was spectacular the whole playoffs, with injuries to his co-stars and the talented opposition in the Los Angeles Lakers, his performance was not enough to bring the city of Miami another championship. This, ultimately, saw the series end in six games.

This past season and his second with the Miami Heat, Butler played well, but lost his energy in the playoffs. As a result, the Heat were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks.

If Jimmy Butler wants to go back to the Finals and deliver the Miami Heat their fourth NBA Championship, he should closely follow the career of the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan. And before you balk too much, there are some similarities between each of them.