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Jibreel O'Bannon

NBA: The Curious Case of Jimmy Butler


Minnesota finally decided their future would rest on the shoulders of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, not Jimmy Butler. Despite his documented work ethic and his “by any means necessary” mentality, the front office felt as though peace was much more important than winning, and understandably so. A volatile environment is only sustainable if it leads to championships, Shaq and Kobe won three out of four and couldn't stand each other, but the Wolves weren’t hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy any time soon. Butler did however help push Minnesota to a 47-35 record and into the postseason for the first time in the 13 years, which was the longest playoff drought in the league. Any other player would've been heralded for such success; Minnesota wanted to end the relationship as quickly as it began.


Despite all the reports about how Butler divided the locker room by demanding effort from the team’s two best players in Wiggins and Towns, Minnesota desperately needed Butler to achieve any sort of playoff success. With a healthy Butler the Wolves were 37-22, without him, a mediocre 10-13. Steel is supposed to sharpen steel but in Minnesota, Jimmy’s steel seemed to erode the steel of others. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say and looking back at Butler’s epic tirade after reportedly taking third string players and beating the starters, Jimmy vehemently declared to everyone in attendance including GM Scott Layden “You f*cking need me. You can't win without me.” does in fact, have a lot truth. Advanced stats and metrics back up Butler’s claim and expels the notion that Butler is simply a hard worker.


When Jimmy wasn’t on the floor last season, the Wolves scored 107.6 points per 100 possessions and allowed 112.4 on defense. However, the Wolves scored 114 points per 100 possessions and allowed 105.6 points on defense. They were 8.4 points better with Jimmy on the floor and wouldn’t you know it, Jimmy was absolutely right, they do need him. But the titular question still remains: Are Towns and Wiggins good enough to compete in the West? And honestly the verdict is still out. Towns is only 23 and Wiggins is just 24 and have yet to enter their prime but there are some concerns in regard to their habits. Towns asked to be subbed out the game against Toronto during a 112-105 road loss after he airballed a three-pointer, which would lead many to question his heart and mental toughness.


And Wiggins doesn’t impact the game much outside of scoring, in fact, Wiggins' averages in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks have been relatively the same since his rookie season. Despite their shortcomings this isn’t about Minnesota, it’s about Jimmy and his ability to seemingly rub those around him the wrong way. At best it's just speculation since not a single player has gone on record to speak about their issues with the man. In fact, most of Butler’s teammates laude him for how great of a person he really is. But it is very odd how both Chicago and Minnesota have reported internal problems with Jimmy's approach to the game. Fast forward to November 2018 and Butler is in the Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. If he reportedly can't get along with anyone in Philly then he may need to start his own team.


It's hard to say if Butler can be the best player on a contender but with Joel Embiid on the roster we may never know. The acquisition of Butler was to make a trip to the Finals and the former Marquette Golden Eagle helps Philly do just that. Butler possesses skills that allow him to mesh with any team in the league and Philly will be particularly dangerous when, or if, they figure it out. Currently constructed Philly has an elite passer and matchup nightmare in Ben Simmons, a top five center and arguably a top 10 player in Embiid, and a two-way star in Butler, outside of shooting and spacing the Sixers are dangerous. Jokes aside those two traits are the difference between the winners and pretenders of the NBA.


But for Butler this is a pivotal chapter in his career and may ultimately determine his market value. Jimmy could potentially be apart of the Sixers future depending if the experiment works out or not. A core of Embiid, Simmons, and Butler can compete well into April, May, and possibly June for years to come. Players will be flocking to Philadelphia for a chance to play with greatness. But if the process fails it’ll be Jimmy's third team where he failed to fit in instead by forcing the team to acclimate to him. Butler ranks right behind LeBron James in fourth quarter scoring with 8.1 points. As a team Philly ranks 24th in fourth quarter scoring so adding Butler should be mutual. And it will be if everyone gives effort. If not, might be taking Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton to the top of another epic practice rant.


Photo Credit: Clutch Points.

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