Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler… Elite Playmaker & How That Looks Going Forth

Ball-movement is a focal point in today’s NBA and the Miami Heat have truly exemplified that measure. As one of the league’s most unselfish teams, the Heat predicate their offense on ball and man movement, timely cuts, and an impeccable display of passing.

In comparison to their terrific 2020 postseason run, the Miami Heat’s unselfish nature was still around, but an issue for much of last season was the lack of shot-execution. Factoring in many lineup alterations, Miami would rank as the 17th ranked offense in 2021.

After acquiring Kyle Lowry during free agency, the former Raptors star will lessen Miami’s chances of reaching stagnation, as several players will revert into more defined roles. In an improved Heat offense, Bam Adebayo will have an elite screen-and-roll partner, while Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro continue elevating as off-ball scorers.

Despite Lowry’s arrival and impactful veteran presence, Jimmy Butler’s role remains the same — the Heat’s go-to star and uncanny leader.

Widely known for his clutch-scoring and two-way prowess, Butler has revitalized the Heat organization on both ends of the floor. Although, it didn’t stop there, as the premier forward continued to evolve his game in 2021, most notably as an offensive initiator.

Butler became a proficient playmaker, the best version of it that he’s been in his whole career and though only appearing in 52 games last season, the sample-size was large enough to place him among the league rankings in assists.

Given that the previous NBA season was shortened by ten games, he managed to have more assists, but fewer turnovers than he did in 2019-20.

Jimmy Butler Passing Efficiency (2020-21 Season)

• 10th in Assists (7.1), 369 Total
• 41st in Turnovers (2.1), 103 Total
• 9th in Assists Percentage (35.1)
• 14th in Assist-Turnover Ratio (3.4)

An area criminally overlooked during last season was Butler’s ability to generate open looks. Statistically, he was a top passer, but handled those duties with efficiency.

His best passing performances came during an early February win over New York, where he finished with ten assists and 26 points and then another with 26 points and 11 dimes against Boston on May 9th.

After returning in late January (Health and Safety protocols), Butler handed out double-digit assists for five of his first 11 games. Also, with numerous injuries to former Heat-guards, Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn, coach Erik Spoelstra utilized Butler in a primary playmaking role — resulting in a career-high 26.6 usage rate.

While Butler isn’t the shiftiest ball-handler, nor will he baffle you with fancy crossover moves, there wasn’t a need for him to have those characteristics of other great perimeter threats. Per-100 Possessions, Butler had a higher Assist-To-Turnover Ratio than most of the NBA’s elite point guards guards last season —  which included Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, DeAaron Fox, and Jrue Holiday.

Butler relies on deception and a textbook approach to direct traffic, as most of his assists, often, transpire from within the short-elbow range. As he’s a significant finisher at the hoop, he can ideally shoot the turnaround jumper or simply, turn the corner and drive towards the rim.

Altogether, Butler has earned the respect of commanding double-teams in the mid-post area and as a penetrator of his level, he immediately uses his excellent vision to locate open teammates.

With Lowry serving as the Heat’s primary ball-handler, Butler’s consistent ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities will diminish. However, if you add consistent floor-spacers around him, he’s proven to be an elite passer at his position and with a low giveaway rate.

As Miami is still in need of a true secondary point guard option, Jimmy should continue running the offense whenever Lowry sits. That’s why the “consistent” is necessary when describing his diminishing responsibilities as a Heat playmaker.

After signing a three-year extension in August, Butler is set to make over $45 million a year starting in the 2023-24 season, will remain a franchise cornerstone in Miami, and all as he heads into his mid-thirties. His will to win and unselfish nature never age though.

That and making his teammates better only helps to keep Butler in that elite tier of NBA players. That’s what the Miami Heat will need to compete for the ultimate prize, NBA immortality and the title.