Jimmy Butler Should Be Part of MVP Conversation

The Heat are 6-1, and are playing some of the best basketball they’ve played since LeBron James left.

Yet, somehow Jimmy Butler isn’t getting the love he deserves. 

That ends now. 

Butler has been the driving force of the Heat since he arrived in South Beach, and he’s taken that to another level to start the season. He’s averaging 25.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game on 50% shooting. Through all of this, the chatter he’s getting for MVP matches his odds for the award -- low. 

WynnBET currently has Butler’s odds to win MVP at +5000. That’s lower than Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum and Paul George. Butler is even tied with Zion Williamson who hasn’t even played a game yet. There are a few players ahead of Butler that are above him purely for namesake and not for their play, like Damian Lillard and James Harden.

Miami looks like it will be one of the best teams in the league in the regular season, which is normally a prerequisite for MVP consideration. If Butler continues on this path -- which includes a career-high in PPG, RPG and FG% -- he needs to be in the conversation. 

There are a few players ahead of Butler that are above him purely for namesake and not for their play, like Damian Lillard and James Harden.

Butler was the MVP of the Heat last season as well. Miami had inconsistency throughout the year due to injuries and COVID-19. WIthout Butler, the Heat were 7-13; With him, they were 33-19. Butler fits into Miami’s culture perfectly and can do so many things. It’s a surprise he doesn’t look like this every night. 

At +5000, he’s a great dark horse pick, but expect for his odds to shoot up as the Heat keep winning games.