Even though everyone talked about Jimmy Butler leaving Miami, how he played in the past playoffs still really matters. The 34-year-old forward built a strong reputation as the NBA’s ultimate playoff success. For the last six years, the trend has been undeniable: If you beat Butler’s team, you are likely to win the championship.
From 2019 to 2024, five teams, including the Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, Nuggets, and Celtics, eliminated Butler’s squads and ended up as champions in their respective years. Only in 2022 did the pattern break when the Celtics failed to capitalize after beating Butler’s Heat in the East Finals. That makes it five out of six seasons that the trend has been too consistent, and it’s more than a coincidence.
Minnesota Timberwolves Took Down Jimmy Butler, Are They Next?
This year, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the newest team to beat Butler in the playoffs. They didn’t just barely win against his team; they beat them by a lot difference. It’s what’s happened in the past that continues. The Timberwolves might be on the way to doing something special and winning the championship.
Anthony Edwards is leading the Timberwolves, and they are playing well as they have young players, play good defense, and are a tough contender. Edwards, who people call “Ant-Man,” is playing like a superstar now. People are also comparing him with famous players like Dwyane Wade and a young Michael Jordan. This 22-year-old leads the team and knows how to win, making Minnesota a real team that could win the championship. Now they have defeated Butler, which seems to be a good sign.
Jimmy Butler himself respects players like Dramond Green, calling them tough guys. He said, “F—king dogs that don’t give a damn and do anything it takes to win.” This indicates what qualities Butler thinks are important for teams that can really win. Edwards proved those same qualities throughout these playoffs.
Whether it’s just luck or something else, the idea that beating Butler’s team leads to winning the championship has become a strange but interesting story in the NBA playoffs. It feels like a superstition. But it is hard to ignore since five of the last six champions went through the same.
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