Three-time NBA champion slams 'Playoff Jimmy' monicker in fiery rant
The Golden State Warriors have worked tirelessly for the past two years to find a new star-level running mate to pair with Steph Curry. At the trade deadline, they eventually got the upgrade they were looking for in Jimmy Butler. Unfortunately, this move did not yield the team the postseason results it might have wanted.
During his time with the Miami Heat, Butler built a reputation for being a strong playoff performer. "Playoff Jimmy" was once a feared name, as the All-Star forward was able to lead Miami on not one but two NBA Finals runs.
Given his track record in the postseason, the Warriors saw Butler as someone who could help Curry keep Golden State in the West title picture. However, that is not what happened in their first postseason run together.
With Curry sidelined against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors needed a big performance from Butler to keep their postseason aspirations alive. While he's been able to elevate his game in big moments in the past, that was not the case on Wednesday. In what ended up being their final game of the year, Butler mustered just 17 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
Following this performance, Udonis Haslem sounded off on Butler's performance on "First Take." He didn't hold back on his former teammate, refusing to put him on a similar tier as other respected postseason performers.
"The 'Playoff Jimmy' thing has put Jimmy Butler in a conversation with guys that maybe are a little bit above Jimmy Butler," Haslem said. "I've seen guys guard D-Wade, he gets his. Jayson Tatum, he gets his...Jimmy Butler is not that unstoppable guy like those guys."
Now, in the later stages of his career, Father Time could be starting to catch up with Butler. Especially in a matchup against a team like the Timberwolves, loaded with size and length. Based on how he looked in these playoffs, it might be time to admit that the days of "Playoff Jimmy" are gone.
Overall, the Warriors should feel good about their star duo. Even though Butler was not the player he once was, he showed he could thrive playing off Curry. With a full season to further improve their chemistry, Golden State should still be viewed as a dark horse team in the West.
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