1. Goran Dragic 2020: 16.2 PPG
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro each hit the 20-point mark in various seasons as Jimmy Butler's No. 2 man. Why would a small like Goran Dragic be ranked ahead of those two when he never averaged 20 next to Butler? It's simple: Dragic is the only player to whom I've seen make Jimmy take a backseat in a Heat jersey. Butler is as clutch as they come but played second-fiddle to The Dragon in pivotal spots (sometimes).
Dragic only averaged 16.2 PPG in the 2020 regular season. He came off the bench for 56 of his 59 games played. The playoffs sang a different tune, though. Before he got hurt in the NBA Finals, Dragic was carving up defenses for 20.9 PPG, shooting seven 3-pointers a game at a 36% clip. His shot diet was full of difficult shots, and the left-handed assassin burned the Boston Celtics the most. Dragic cooked the Celtics' defense with floaters, euro steps, Ginobili-like screen-splitting, pump fakes, and skill-based blowbys.
Dragic was the number one option in this Eastern Conference finals, outshooting Butler by nine shots (97 to 88). Bam or Herro have never outshot Jimmy in any playoff series. Dragic was the man; he was the No. 1 scoring option for the whole playoff run, averaging 16 FGA to Butler's 14.
Dragic was crafty enough to warrant those shots. He's a certified killer and a Heat legend. The 2020 playoff run will never be forgotten.