Heat’s Jimmy Butler is one of NBA’s best at getting fouled, and ‘there’s an honor’ to it
The free throw has gotten a bad reputation in the past few seasons. James Harden’s unprecedented prowess at drawing fouls in the paint and on the perimeter has turned him into one of the best scorers in NBA history, even as opposing players and coaches have, at times, complained about his approach to playing offense.
Like usual, Harden entered Monday leading the league in free-throw attempts with 12.3 per game. Jimmy Butler, however, isn’t far behind. The star wing is averaging a career-high 9.4 free-throw attempts heading into Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena, placing him third in the league behind only Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo — the two most recent MVPs.
It has Butler in the midst of arguably the best season of his career despite his worst field-goal and three-point percentages since his rookie season. At least so far, Butler has not been hit with the same sort of opposing complaints Harden feels. While his questioner was careful not to mention the superstar guard by name, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra did answer a question Monday about whether he feels Butler’s approach to getting to the line is different than some other’s.
“There’s an honor to the way Jimmy plays and competes at this game,” the coach said after the Heat’s shootaround at the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletic Center. “His game is not built on trickery or trying to flop for fouls. It’s about playing winning basketball, and he does that on both ends of the court.”
It has been particularly important in Miami’s two games prior to the trip to Washington. On Saturday, Butler had one of his 10 worst shooting games of the season and still scored 25 points to help the Heat (24-8) beat the Philadelphia 76ers 117-116 in overtime by going 11 of 14 from the free-throw line. On Friday, the four-time All-Star had one of his five worst shooting games of the season and still scored 20 in a win against the Indiana Pacers by going 14 of 15 from the line.
This season, Butler has scored at least 20 points 19 times and shot 33.3 percent or worse in five off those games largely because of his ability to draw fouls.
“I pride myself on being physical and playing hard, running into bodies at times,” Butler said. “I think that it’s a way to get your rhythm going and help other guys get their rhythm going because when we’re getting in the bonus early other guys get to see the ball go into the basket.”
Said Spoelstra: “When you define a go-to guy, Jimmy is that. Your offense is stable. It’s calm. Guys have confidence. Everything else you can get lost in translation. To me, that’s a max player. That’s a go-to player and his ability to draw fouls is one of the most important things.”
Winslow misses 12th straight game
Justise Winslow’s absence from the Heat’s lineup is carrying over into 2020. The point forward did not travel to Washington for Miami’s one-game road trip to face the Wizards, as the Heat announced Sunday. This marks the 12th consecutive game Winslow has missed with a lower back injury.
Winslow’s injury was originally classified as a lower back strain, but Miami began referring to it as a lower back bone bruise Thursday.
Forward James Johnson was also out because of a stomach illness. Miami was otherwise at full strength for its road trip as point guard Darryl Macon and small forward KZ Okpala, who are both spending time with G League Sioux Falls, were the only players on the roster not to travel.
Washington (9-22) remains exceptionally banged up for their final game of the decade. Star shooting guard Bradley Beal, forward Rui Hachimura, center Thomas Bryant, and post players Davis Bertans and Moritz Wagner all remain out. Point guard John Wall and wing C.J. Miles are also both out with long-term injuries.
This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 1:51 PM.
