Jimmy Butler Redirects MVP Chants Joel Embiid's Way

After an MVP-caliber performance in Game 4 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler heard plenty of chants that crowned him the most valuable player of the night.

But after the game, Butler made one thing clear; MVP chants should be reserved for Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

“I don’t know about MVP,” Butler told TNT’s Allie LaForce on Monday. “I think that’s Joel [Embiid] if I’m being brutally honest.”

Butler is just one of many NBA stars that believe the Sixers’ six-time All-Star Joel Embiid should earn his first MVP nod this year, joining other key names such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Sixers guard James Harden.

"I don't know about MVP. I think that's Joel."

Jimmy Butler on MVP chants during his historic Game 4 performance pic.twitter.com/GDtoyf3PJH
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2023

For the third season in a row, Embiid was named a finalist. Over the last two seasons, Embiid lost out on the award to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

Many players have publicly endorsed Embiid for MVP this season. And the fact that Butler re-directed MVP support to his former teammate after a spectacular performance in the playoffs speaks volumes.

In a 40-minute shift during Game 4 against the Bucks, Butler knocked down 19 of his 28 field goal attempts and three of his eight threes. He also went 15-18 from the charity stripe. Butler finished the game with 56 points as the Heat formed a comeback to defeat the Bucks 119-114.

Butler was the star of the night but didn’t want MVP love. Instead, he re-directed it towards Embiid, who could be on his way to winning the MVP award for the first time in his career.