Former teammate of Jimmy Butler, Udonis Haslem, has paid Jimmy the ultimate compliment and explained why he’s the perfect playoffs weapon.
Haslem believes that the Warriors are one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason because of Butler.
“Jimmy Butler is one of the smartest basketball players that I’ve ever been around,” Haslem said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “How you guard him in the regular season and how you guard him in one game, you’re not going to be able to guard him like that the second one.”
After losing to the Clippers, the Warriors booked themselves a spot in the Play-In Tournament, rather than punching a ticket straight to the playoffs. But Haslem said Butler thrives in situations like these.
“Jimmy Butler, to me, raises his game in the playoffs,” Haslem said. “Because whatever he does in the regular season, he’s going to look at the film, he’s going to make sure the weaknesses and the way you play him, he’s going to make those his strengths in the playoffs. He’s the ultimate competitor when his back is against the wall.”
As for Lakers star Luka Doncic, Haslem seems to have the opposite opinion of him, calling out his much-criticized effort on defense.
“Luka will have to guard somebody,” Haslem said on “The OGs” podcast. “At least try. — You gotta try, bro. I’m looking at the teams ahead of you, there’s nowhere to hide. If you play OKC, there’s nowhere to hide. — They’re gonna put his sh*t in action. He’s gonna have to guard. You have to fu**ing guard.”
