The impact made by Jimmy Butler on the Minnesota Timberwolves was obvious from the start
Authentic Will Hernandez Jersey , transcending the two ends of the court where he’s made his mark as a four-time All-Star.
Perhaps no better example of the leadership he contributed to a long-languishing franchise trying to find its way came during a three-day
stretch in mid-December.
With Butler playing through back spasms, the Timberwolves lost at home to a Phoenix Suns team that ultimately finished with the NBA’s worst record.
Afterward, Butler was flat on the floor in the locker room, in enough discomfort
that moving around was a difficult proposition.
Two nights later, Butler powered past the pain to score 37 points and carry the Wolves to victory over the Portland Trail Blazers , who finished third in
the Western Conference this season.
”If you go out there and show them how hard you have to play in this league until the end on a constant basis,” Butler said then
Authentic Jordan Whitehead Jersey , cajoling his young teammates, ”that’s when they follow suit.”
In case there was any lingering mystery about the 28-year-old Butler’s value to these Wolves, his absence while recovering from a meniscus injury in his
right knee quelled them for good. They went 8-9 while he was out, nearly
squandering their spot in the playoffs until reeling off three straight wins
upon Butler’s return to end an NBA-most 14-year stretch of missing
the
postseason. Factoring in the six games he missed earlier to an illness and a
sore knee, the Wolves were 10-13 without him.
”He’s changed everything for us,” said coach Tom Thibodeau, without a hint of hyperbole.
Butler pitched in 31 points on Wednesday in the win-and-get-in
Dellin Betances Jersey , lose-and-go-home game against the Denver Nuggets that gave the Wolves a taste of the playoffs. He played 42 minutes.
”He’s an animal,” fellow All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns said. ”I don’t think anyone has ever thought anything else of him. He’s a cyborg from another place,
built in the lab, and we’re very glad that we’ve got him.”
Thibodeau, who has full control of the roster as president of basketball operations, was fixated last summer on reuniting with Butler from their time
together with the Chicago Bulls. Not only were the Wolves in the market for
another scorer around their cornerstone Towns and young wingman Andrew Wiggins,
they needed a lock-down defender who could take on the opponent’s best player
with unwavering confidence. Plus
Cheap Donte Jackson Jersey , his mental toughness was a critical component in the overall attitude adjustment of a team transitioning from
low-pressure losing seasons to heightened expectations under the no-nonsense
Thibodeau.
”I wanted to go to a contender. I wanted to go somewhere where I was familiar with the coach, and being here was the perfect situation,” Butler said this
week. ”We have a young team. I don’t believe they know how good they are. I
believe the city doesn’t know how good the team is. We can bring that
excitement, not only to the team, but to the city.”
Butler ranked fourth in the NBA this season with a 6.06 real plus-minus rating. That advanced statistic attempts to assess a player’s on-court impact on
team performance as measured by net point differential per 100 offensive and
defensive possessions, while also factoring in teammates, opponents and other
variables. The only players ahead of him were Chris Paul
David Justice Jersey , Steph Curry and James Harden.
As the Wolves approach the daunting assignment of a first-round matchup with Paul, Harden and the league-leading Houston Rockets, the intangible contribution
Butler can make to the cause is as valuable as any. His experience in the
playoffs, with 38 career games, and his tenacity on the court provide the kind
of comfort food a team can rely on against an opponent that beat the Wolves
handily in all four matchups in the regular season.
This leadership comes from others, too, with the summer additions of Taj Gibson
Glenn Robinson Jersey , Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford, and the recent signing of Derrick Rose coming in handy when Game 1 tips off in Houston on
Sunday night.
”You have to believe in your teammates. That’s why it’s good to have a coach like Thibs who comes in and gives you a strong talk, because he understands the
reality of the game and the ups and downs of how the game goes,” Gibson said
after practice Friday, before the team boarded a flight for Houston. ”You’ve
just got to go out there and fight.”
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