There are only a few things guaranteed in life: death, taxes, Tom Brady winning the Super Bowl, and Jimmy Butler fighting adversity by adding awards to his collection.
Jimmy Butler Named Third-Team All-NBA
While most people have heard enough of those first three, that last one never fails to raise some eyebrows. Even at the ripe old age of 31, Jimmy Butler continues to make his mark on each and every NBA season. The former 30th overall pick has produced his fair share of memorable accomplishments, with this year being no different from the rest. Butler averaged 21.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.1 APG and 2.1 SPG (league-high), leading Miami to the playoffs yet again.
That’s right, even during a season in which he missed 20 games, the Miami Heat’s star player managed to rack up third-team All-NBA honors. The decorated achievement only goes to the most elite and impressive players in the NBA, as only 15 players make one of the league’s three prestigious teams. Among some of the other notable players to earn 2021 third-team honors are Kyrie Irving, Paul George, and Rudy Gobert.
What This Means For Jimmy Butler
This year’s third-team selection marks Butler’s fourth career appearance on an All-NBA team. His other three appearances (2017, 2018, and 2020) all came on the third-team as well.
Butler will return to the Heat in 2021, a season that marks the final year on his current contract. The topic of whether he returns will qualify as a serious source of debate and discussion. He has already found himself in a variety of different jerseys prior to his tenure in Miami, so the possibility of exploring other options isn’t necessarily out of the question. However, one guarantee is a demand for a greater sum of money (due to his impressive recent accolades) when contract time rolls around.
Concluding Thoughts
Although most Heat fans still possess a stark sense of disappointment in their team’s recent playoff performance, it’s important for them to appreciate the success their players achieve both on and off the court. Sure, Butler is no LeBron James, but he isn’t some type of schmoe either. He’s a top-tier player in the NBA who has maintained a successful love for the game throughout his career. Miami basketball, as we know it in its current state, would not be the same without him.