Jimmy Buckets! LET’S GO HEAT!
While getting all of my information together to prepare this blog, I came across a weird rumor that has Jimmy Butler as the son of Michael Jordan — this stemming from Butler doing the unthinkable with his elite play leading his (and my) Miami Heat to a giant upset over the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks.
Well, it looks like those rumors won’t be stopping anytime soon, and this because of Jimmy Butler going out on the court during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics like he’s the reincarnation of the G.O.A.T.
Butler was absolutely incredible Wednesday night, putting up a stat line of 35 points, five rebounds, seven assists and six steals to lift Miami over Boston, 123-116, for the 1-0 series lead. And not only would it be an amazing game for Mr. Buckets, not only would it give the Heat home court advantage, but he pulled off a playoffs feat that only Michael Jordan has done in the entire history of the NBA.
Butler and Jordan are the only players ever in NBA Playoffs history to have multiple road games that featured them having a 35-point, five-rebound, five-assist, five-steal stat line, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Jimmy Butler had his 2nd career road playoff game with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.
The only other player to do that twice on the road since steals were first tracked in 1973-74 is Michael Jordan (also twice). pic.twitter.com/GgLNX1VvHq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 18, 2023
Overall, Butler joins Jordan and Allen Iverson as the only three players ever in history to have multiple 35-5-5-5 games in the postseason — whether at home or on the road, according to NBA History.
Jimmy Butler becomes the 3rd player in NBA Playoff history with multiple games of 35+ PTS, 5+ REBS, 5+ AST, and 5+ STL.
The list:
Michael Jordan (7 games)
Allen Iverson (2 games)
Jimmy Butler (2 games) pic.twitter.com/M1ho3HnnOU— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 18, 2023
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Man, going into this game, ESPN only gave my Miami Heat a 3% chance to win against the Boston Celtics here in the Eastern Conference Finals, and now here we are up 1-0, just like that. And on top of that, my man Jimmy is out here pulling out Michael Jordan-esque performances.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t super-confident heading into the rest of this series. Jimmy Butler is playing at historical levels, the Miami Heat are looking so, so, so … so good, and we look like a team of champions with how everybody is focused. And the vibe they’re giving off is just … magical … it’s just incredible the journey my Heat have put me and the rest of our fan base through. (RELATED: Nikola Jokic First Player In NBA History To Pull Off 8/12/5/2 Quarter In Playoffs Game)
We’re so spoiled. So, so spoiled as Heat fans. And I absolutely love it!
LET’S GO HEAT! LET’S GO HEAT! LET’S GO HEAT! LET’S GET THAT RING!