The Michael Jordan comparison keeps rolling for NBA players. No one has emulated MJ like Kobe Bryant thus far but many have taken notes from his pages. And they have also noted down Bryant’s moves. Both these players remain the offensive icons for many. Their game has stood the three-point barrage and has found its place. Anthony Edwards is a huge example. This offseason, he flashed the moves that he picked from the legend. 

On the other hand, Jimmy Butler has been called Michael Jordan’s son due to his perceived facial resemblance. While he isn’t as flashy as Jordan, his competitiveness is next to no one, just like MJ. In this vein, one of Butler’s early rivals LeBron James is no stranger to the adrenaline rush to win. One of James’ former teammates reveals how the gritty Butler operates. He also goes into a fascinating “Imagine this” scenario.

Could Jimmy Butler have been like Kobe Bryant?

Whenever Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson gather, they are bound to have a debate or two.

They engage in insightful analysis and work up scenarios to justify their position. During their podcast, Road Trippin‘ with Allie Clifton, Jefferson argues that in terms of talent alone, Butler isn’t even among 25 best players. By this “talent”, he means, someone with ”40-inch verts, can shoot from anywhere.” Then he dives into why he still is one of the best players in the league.

He expresses, ”His grit, his intenseness, his toughness, and his consistency and competitiveness, that’s what pushes him up. Above so many players.”. Then he drew a sleek Kobe reference.

The 2016 champion then argued, ”If Jimmy Butler had Kobe Bryant’s body and skill, he’d be Kobe Bryant, in my opinion. Maybe not exactly Kobe but he would be on that level. 100% he would be on that level. Like he is that determined and that focused and that gritty.”

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He then talks about why he wouldn’t pick Butler over talents like Giannis and Jokic.

Is Jimmy Butler behind in the superstars’ race?

He continues, ”That’s why playoff Jimmy is different. Now even Playoff Jimmy is hard for him to sustain. Because at the end of the day, he is running into physical specimens that can do this all day long. Giannis and all of these guys. Now, I know he’s beating them and their team is beating them, but you still won’t pick Jimmy Butler over Giannis”. This is why RJ doesn’t consider Butler a Top-20 talent.

But it begs a question. How has he been able to reach two finals in the last four seasons? Would teams prefer him or Joel Embiid? Of course, Embiid is the reigning MVP and has a bigger window to win than Butler.

However, considering Butler has won a lot alongside Bam, who is not a superstar-caliber player, it is not a clear-cut choice. His leadership is what puts him a notch above even the best talents.

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