The Miami Heat, as they have since his arrival three seasons ago or so, will go as Jimmy Butler does. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Though Bam Adebayo has a chance to be the outright best player with his combination of size, skills, offense, and defense, and while Tyler Herro has a chance to be the best offensive player on the team—Jimmy’s combination of grit, will, strength, experience, know-how, and that competitive attitude of his still sets him out as the clear top dog.
With that and with how well-rounded he’s been since coming to Miami, one of the best players in the league and a top-three player in the playoffs during both of the Miami Heat’s deep runs during his tenure, it’s hard to imagine what single stat might be the most important for the guy who could realistically be called a LeBron James Lite during his time in Miami.
However, the only thing that would separate him from LeBron right now is his ability to knock down the three-ball. And that’s his most important stat, his attempts from range.
The Miami Heat will go as Jimmy Butler does, as they have since he arrived in South Florida. And he could help things go smoother by taking more threes.
Jimmy Butler’s Most Important Stat Heading Into 2022-23: Three-Point Attempts Per Game
Projection: Over 2.3 per game
Shooting just 24 percent on right at two attempts per game across his Miami Heat tenure thus far, Butler is traditionally a much better range shooter than he’s shown. Though he won’t ever be confused for a sniper, he’s shot 32.1 percent on 2.5 attempts across his career.
That isn’t great either, but it’s better than 24 percent. The thing though is this.
If Jimmy Butler took more threes, he could make more of them and that’s something he showed late last season.
You don’t ever want Jimmy to get away from his rough and tumble style of play that allows him to be superb in the lane, near the rim, in the midrange area, and at getting to the free throw stripe—but being a better range shooter could open up even more space for him to be more effective at doing that stuff. He just has to actually take them.
That’s why this is his most important stat this season. It could help him be more effective as an offensive player, thus helping his team on the court by creating even more space, and ultimately, helping them in the standings by winning more ball games.