Stephen A. Smith Thinks Devin Booker Is More Like Kobe Bryant Than Jimmy Butler
The NBA today is filled with talented athletes who thrive on offense many players modeled their game after basketball icon Kobe Bryant.
Former NBA player Andre Iguodala said Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was the closest player to having Bryant's mentality. In a recent episode of Shannon Sharpe’s podcast Club Shay Shay, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith disagreed.
He said it was Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.
“Closest to Kobe Bryant [mentality wise] is Jimmy Butler? You could say that, I would beg to differ.,” Smith said. “Devin Booker. Jimmy Butler works but the difference between Jimmy Butler and Devin Booker is Jimmy Butler doesn’t care that much about offense until the postseason arrives. Kobe cared about it all the time and Devin Booker cares about it all the time. They coming out looking for their shot from opening tip off. Jimmy Butler, sometimes, you literally feel like you gotta throw something at him just to make him shoot the basketball. It’s not a priority for him and that is why I would say no on that Kobe comparison.”
Smith’s point could be debatable. Sure, Butler isn’t the type of player who prefers to score first but his mentality is arguably the closest to Bryant. Though he’s an unselfish player, he does make winning his main priority.
The 2023 playoffs were a prime example of it. In Game 4 of the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks, he scored a career-high 56 points while his teammates struggled. After Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, a picture went viral of Butler’s swollen ankle. Still, he managed to play through it, leading the Heat to a Finals appearance.
With all aspects considered, Butler definitely has the “Mamba Mentality”.
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Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
