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Despite Going Gaga Over ?Superstar? Jimmy Butler, Stephen A Smith Undermines the 33-Year-Old Star

Apr 27, 2023 | 3:10 PM EDT

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The 2022-2023 NBA playoff season has been full of surprises. Perhaps, the biggest one was when the Miami Heat?unexpectedly triumphed over the Milwaukee Bucks. The key to the Heat’s victory was Jimmy Butler ‘s tremendous performance. Butler has been on a scoring frenzy over the last two games. Miami’s Butler has been a monster, scoring an incredible 98 points in just two games. Butler stands out from other players, mostly because of his leadership skills. His capacity to rally and inspire his teammates will be essential to the Heat’s playoff victory.

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Meanwhile, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith goes gaga over Jimmy Buckets. However, he says something controversial that undermines the 33-year-old.

Stephen A. Smith left in awe of Jimmy Butler

During a recent episode of ‘First Take’, the host, Molly Qerim, started off the show with a question that made Stephen A. Smith, her co-host, go gaga over Jimmy Butler. She asked her how much the New York Knicks should fear Jimmy Butler. Smith rephrased the question for her, “How much do the Knicks fear Jimmy Butler?”?

Smith said, ” Jimmy Butler is a superstar in the playoffs. He is something special and he’s a Rough Rider. He’s a dog. I mean he’s not one of those people that’s just trying to win. He wants to come to Gotham City,? the mecca of Madison Square Garden, and ruin everything for New Yorkers. That’s what he wanted to do”. He then said, “We have to stop this man.” Smith placed Butler on a pedestal by saying that when he talks about postseason Jimmy, he’s talking about greatness. However, this is where his stance on Butler started changing.

He said, “But New York is a different animal baby. And when you come to the Garden, it’s a different stage and Jimmy’s been on a lot of stages.” He also bought up the fact that Jimmy Butler was coached by Tom Thibodeau and that they are both aware of each other’s style of play. He ended his passionate monologue by stating a final fact. He said, “There is a reason to fear Jimmy Butler but that will only elevate the level of focus and tenacity and commitment that is necessary to take him down. And he will go down in this series.”

Jimmy Butler will go down pic.twitter.com/auuBZymbLX
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 27, 2023

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An advantage that the Knicks have over the Heat is that they’ll be facing off against them on their home court.

However, this playoff season has been full of surprises and only time will tell how events uncover.

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The Upcoming matchup for the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series

As soon as the NBA 2nd round playoff schedule was made public, fans began preparing for some highly anticipated matchups. Two teams have finished their series, resulting in two surprises: the Miami Heat stunned the Milwaukee Bucks while the New York Knicks triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Watch This Story: ?Giannis Antetokounmpo?s most heated moments over the years

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The Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Knicks and Heat will begin with Game 1 on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. On Tuesday, Game 2 will follow as both teams have three days to relax before their upcoming travels. Following this, they will continue to play almost every other day till the series is over.

Fans can anticipate a fierce and exciting match between the two teams, considering the impressive talents on both teams. Who are you rooting for?