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Jimmy Butler shrugs off "Playoff Jimmy" moniker - "I just be hooping"

Jimmy Butler doesn't care about nicknames, only wins.
Jonas Panerio|
© Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

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Miami Heat swingman Jimmy Butler could not care less about monikers, saying all he wants to do is play solid basketball to help the Miami Heat snatch one more win to advance to the next round of the NBA Playoffs. And while his magical 56-point performance in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks lends further credence to the “Playoff Jimmy” moniker, the Marquette products would rather shrug it off than talk about it.

“It’s not a thing,” Butler said. “I just be hooping.”

Numbers say a different story

Stats compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau (ESB), though, paint a different story regarding Butler’s ability to turn his game up in the postseason. According to the ESB, “Butler has scored 40+ points in 7 of his 101 playoff games, which trails only Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Hakeem Olajuwon for the highest percentage (6.9%) of playoff games scoring 40+, min.”

In addition, “Playoff Jimmy” is indeed a thing with the Miami Heat. The ESB states that “All seven of Butler’s 40+ point playoff games occurred as a member of the Heat. Incredibly, he has NEVER posted a 40+ point regular season game for Miami.”

Love the competition

Not to say the regular season lacks competition or a sense of urgency, but Butler admits that he just embraces the Playoffs a little more because of how the action and intensity are ratcheted way up, which offers him the opportunity to prove he’s one of the best in the NBA.

“I love the competitive aspect of the playoffs. I think this is where the best players show up and show out. I’m not saying I’m one of those best players. I just want to be looked at as such,” Butler said. “I want to do everything for my team to win, along with everybody else on this roster. I think (Pat Riley) and (Erik Spoelstra) wanted me here for a reason. I feel like this is part of that reason.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO