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Miami Heat: Breaking down Jimmy Butler’s MVP chances

By Noah Decker

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 09, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 09, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Durant #7 James Harden #13 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrate during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Superteams help Jimmy Butler’s chances of winning MVP on the Miami Heat

Kevin Durant is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best player in the NBA. His Brooklyn Nets will likely finish first in the Eastern Conference this year, especially considering the fact that they finished second despite their Big 3 barely playing together throughout last season.

He will put up big numbers, averaging anywhere between 25 and 30 points a night. Seems like an MVP-caliber season, right? While that may be true, some voters may be swayed in another direction based on what ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins points out:

http://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1438609606713004033

It is worth noting that LeBron James won the award as a part of the Miami Heat Big 3, so Durant could very well still win the award. The MVP award is usually very subjective, so the player narrative might be very important.

For now, let’s assume some voters elect to stay away from voting for anyone in a “superteam Big Three”, so Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook are off the table.

Again, all of them could still win the award, but if their team strength takes away voters, that’s a lot of big names out of the conversation.

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