Midway through the first quarter of Game 3 in the NBA Finals, Jimmy Butler is bringing the ball up the floor. His team is trailing 2-0 and is without the services of both Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic. As Butler crosses midcourt, the paint is empty of all defensive players. Only Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stands in front of him
Butler lowers his head and shoulder and drives. Caldwell-Pope moves his feet well but Butler keeps moving his legs, like a running back pushing through initial contact. Hit. Forward. Hit. Forward. Butler gains his inches by the foot. Three dribbles later, Butler is spinning, Caldwell-Pope is underneath the rim and the ball is going in.