Why is Jimmy Butler so good in the playoffs?

Jimmy Butler has twice as many 40-point games in the playoffs (6) in the last 2 seasons as the next closest player. Why is able to improve his game so much in the playoffs? This detailed film breakdown & scouting report breaks down Butler's subtle but effective game, and the skills that make him "Playoff Jimmy" in the postseason.

Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music by Alter Ego (Lost)

#ThinkingBasketball #nbaplayoffs

[dillonsiv]

Butler is such a crafty player, he has such a 90s playstyle. Physical in the paint, reliant on footwork, tenacious defender, takes enough 3s to keep the defence guessing but mainly opts for easy mid ranges and a master at drawing fouls

[TheLoxely]

Genius putting this out right now after Miami win Game 2 in Boston. Jimmy Buckets & his team have been crazy clutch, what a run they're going on

[lazzz]

Butler is the perfect example that great fundamentals is all you need to be effective.

[maartenvz]

This man is simply on another level iq wise. He has more career steals than turnovers (so does kawhi) and just makes a lot of good decisions. The jump stops, fakes and pivots are what kept Jordan elite when he got older and less athletic, its only poetic his son has already mastered these skills going into the fall of his career.

[creepofreek]

I’m so happy for Jimmy Butler. He was not a high Draft pick. He went to the Bulls and developed into one of the best defensive players I. The league. Then the Bulls made the mistake of trading him. Since then he has won on every team he’s been on. And now he’s playing the best basketball of his life. I hope he wins a championship- no one deserves it more.

[Sleepingow]

Immediately releasing after going up 2-0 is wild

[duyanhpro]

Watching Jimmy is like watching Tim Duncan as a guard. Not one move is wasted. Every moves are calculated and precise.

[GunninRebel]

No coach has ever deployed Butler the way Spo has too. Spo, Buckets, & Heat culture were meant for each other.

[paritoshbhide]

I'm so excited to see him bring this cerebral basketball ability to the Warriors, especially pairing it with the IQs of Steph, Draymond and Kerr.

[kenny]

warriors fans coming back to watch this is having a orgasm

[donaldpriola]

I think part of it is how the playoffs slow down a bit. Jimmy's a gritty midrange player, who can create his own shot. When the games slow down, it suits his style. He's also incredibly well conditioned. When other guys fade, he continues on, or even gets stronger. He's also a very good defensive player; you can't matchup hunt him. Also, as Grant Williams discovered, you don't piss him off, because he's one of the best competitors in the league.

[jesseashton]

Man if you're a bucks fan watching the heat do this to another top seed must be so therapeutic lol

[rimouks]

I've always been sad about D Rose's career but following Butler from Chicago has been amazing

[BoyT_]

Watching this while he is now in GSW. Hope he wins a ring this time.

[Dizzelsoul]

By far this is the most accurate breakdown of Jimmy's arsenal and winning mindset !

[Space_Ache]

Jimmy Butler has quickly become my favorite player since Kobe. He plays with zero fear. Zero hesitation. This man has literally gone Super Saiyan in the playoffs and it is some of the most fun I have had watching the NBA since the early 2000s.

[oxfordbambooshootify]

Jimmy being Michael Jordan's son sounds like a pretty darn good explanation to me

[panner]

The 3pt shooting improvement in the playoffs really is an enigma. Not only does he increase in percentage but also increases volume but a lot. Theoretically, that should decrease the shot quality, but somehow he increases his percentages anyway. It's inexplicable.

[arjunsinhharer]

Jimmy started as a defensive specialist in the league. He understands defensive patterns very well and exploits it with an efficient offense. On top of that he has that killer mentality that brings an increased intensity to his game

[devvv]

plzzzz go crazy in the playoffs. if both prime Curry and Butler pop off, championship is within their reach