Just moments before the Boston Celtics secured a trip to the NBA Finals with a 100-96 win in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Jimmy Butler nearly played the role of all-time hero for the Miami Heat. Trailing by two points, with less than 20 seconds left, the veteran swingman dribbled across halfcourt in transition and pulled up for a go-ahead three from the right wing. His shot fell short, hitting the front iron, and Boston recovered the game-sealing rebound.
Although the shot was scrutinized immediately after the miss, as he could've attempted a game-tying layup instead, Butler didn't regret his high-risk, high-reward jumper. He told reporters that he was looking for the win, and that his teammates supported the decision. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also said Butler's three was "the right look." Although Butler shot just 23-percent from three during the regular season, he scored 82 points in the final two games.
"I thought that [Butler's shot] was the right decision. And at that point in the game, you've been outplayed for three-plus quarters," longtime NBA writer A. Sherrod Blakely explained to The DA Show on Tuesday. "And I don't think that anyone -- without question -- would disagree with that. You have a chance to not only steal the game, but steal your way into the Finals with a dagger shot? I don't think the Celtics would've been able to win if that shot goes down.
"If it would've been any other player, I would've absolutely discouraged him from taking it. But this dude dropped 82 points in the last two playoff games. If anyone had the green light to take that shot, and to send the Celtics home, it's Butler. He wasn't playing for a tie -- he was playing for the win. That's what you're supposed to do... [Boston] would've been just so emotionally drained, I don't think they would've been able to compose themselves enough."
The entire NBA conversation between Blakely and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
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