NBA Twitter Unloads On Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler For Finals Performance Against The Denver Nuggets

It seems like yesterday when Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler received endless praise from NBA Twitter. Now, that hype has been degraded to memes after a lackluster Finals performance.

Jimmy Butler just be handing out championships that’s tough
— BON (@Gresham2x) June 13, 2023

Jimmy Butler tonight pic.twitter.com/we0WhN36AL
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 13, 2023

Bam Adebayo looking at Jimmy Butler on the bench pic.twitter.com/nAgizfG7Qh
— iregretlikingsports (@Jimmy2424555) June 13, 2023

Butler averaged 21.6 points on 41 percent shooting against the Denver Nuggets. He passed up many shots close to the basket and didn’t have his true “Playoff Jimmy” moments that many were waiting for. Many put him on a pedestal for his amazing performances early this postseason, but he’s been subjected to mockery since Game 5 of the conference finals. Some anticipated an explosive performance Monday night but Butler underperformed once again with 21 points on 5 of 18 shooting from the field.

Don’t ever compare him to MJ again 💀
— 𝐆𝐄𝐄𝐙𝐘✎ツ (@YoungPiccasso) June 13, 2023

Bam Adebayo: "i need you man where you at?"

Jimmy Butler:pic.twitter.com/iSWbjUSds7
— Jeffery Perkins (@JefferyxBball) June 13, 2023

He got hot late in the fourth quarter but had eight points until the final five minutes. A late turnover and a questionable contested 3-pointer all but sealed it for Denver. Fans even compared this ill-timed shot attempt to the one he had against the Boston Celtics last year in Game 7.

Jimmy Butler took a 3 pointer they didn't need when he could've easily drove in an elimination game?

That looks...familiar.
— Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) June 13, 2023

Jimmy butler shooting that 3 pointer for no fucking reason pretty much sums up this series
— nat ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ (@tennistea77) June 13, 2023

Unlike 2022 and 2020, there wasn’t as much sympathy for him because of the lack of true superstar performances as the postseason developed. Some even suggested he got “carried” by those around him.

⁃Jimmy Butler 0-2 in the finals
⁃No more “playoff jimmy” tweets
⁃Miami Heat gentlemen swept
⁃Jimmy with the worse finals performance from a star in the last 10 years https://t.co/bSIKyKHdwf
— Mike (@MikeAdxx) June 13, 2023

2/10 in an NBA Finals elimination game?

In the case of Jimmy Butler, Michael Jordan YOU ARE NOT THE FATHERpic.twitter.com/6RjmXS3wMe
— Buttcrack Sports (@ButtCrackSports) June 13, 2023

Still, people forget the magnitude of this season, considering the Heat were never even supposed to be close to the Finals. Butler had an amazing playoff run, and the team wouldn’t have made it without him. After the game, Butler said he was thankful for the journey this season.

“I'm grateful we made it here,” Butler said. “We came up short, but I'm blessed. I'm fortunate.”

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.