Following a disastrous end to his Minnesota tenure and a dip in production with Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler has been the subject of significant derision as the postseason approaches. Many have scoffed at the idea of paying him $190 million this summer, and the addition of Tobias Harris brought doubt over Butler’s long-term future with the Sixers.
But if Wednesday’s 118-115 victory over the Celtics was any indication, Philadelphia’s immediate Finals hopes could largely depend on Butler. He may not be a Sixer for the rest of his career, yet to close 2019, Butler will be an integral focal point of Philadelphia’s crunch-time attack.