It’s been a week since Jimmy Butler‘s record-breaking performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the conversations around it are far from fading away. Recently, fans took on a respected NBA analyst over his take on Butler and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Before joining the Miami Heat, Butler was with the 76ers. According to popular NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, Butler could be the 76ers’ biggest regret if they get knocked out of the playoffs this season. Following this comment, fans unloaded a dose of a reality check by saying that the 76ers are doing good with an in-form James Harden.
NBA analyst claims that Jimmy Butler could be the biggest regret for the 76ers
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Stephen A. Smith is a highly respected analyst in the NBA world. However, this time, Smith received backlash for what he said about Butler and the 76ers. Butler played for the 76ers in 2018-19, he was then let go, after which he joined the Heat. The 6x NBA All-Star has been one of the finest players of this year’s postseason. Other than clocking in the record-breaking 56-point game against the Bucks, Butler has also shown immense consistency. The 33-year-old single-handedly caused one of the biggest upsets of this season by eliminating the top-seeded Bucks.
Smith believes that the 76ers need a player like Butler in their rotation. Although the Philadelphia team has tied the series 2-2 against the Boston Celtics,?Smith believes that Butler would have easily taken the team through if he played alongside this year’s MVP Joel Embiid.
He said, “If the Sixers don’t win, one of the biggest regrets they will live with, in franchise history, is letting Jimmy Butler walk out that door.” He further added, “The 76ers would have been back in the Finals and they probably would win the title,” if they had Butler with them. Just in the last game, James Harden dropped 42 points with eight rebounds and nine assists. Despite that, Smith believes that there is a need for Butler in the Philadelphia franchise.
"If the Sixers don't win, one of the biggest regrets they will live with in franchise history is letting Jimmy Butler walk out that door… The 76ers would have been back in the Finals and they probably would win the title."
— Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/vvkhO3lFcu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 8, 2023
Fans didn’t take this opinion very well as they clapped back at Smith with a reality check.
Stephen A. Smith faces backlash over his opinion on Jimmy Butler and the 76ers
The hardcore fans know their sport and their team. They understand what works for them and what may not. As soon as the 55-year-old Smith’s take surfaced on the internet, he was on the receiving end of all the criticism. Fans derailed his line of argument citing James Harden’s last performance. Here are some of the most notable reactions:
James Harden just had one of the best performances this post-season and this is what First Take brings to the table.
— xxx 👌 (@ScottyDrowned) May 8, 2023
Horrible take
— Danny Durant (@KnicksDan) May 8, 2023
If we had Jimmy Butler we wouldn’t have Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, PJ Tucker, Tobias Harris. We’d have Joel, Butler and whoever we would get from the Simmons trade
— Stephen Capriotti (@Stephen_Cap2) May 8, 2023
One fan said that even if the 76ers end up winning this season, they should regret letting Butler go
If the Sixers win that's still one of the biggest regrets. Jimmy should be here.
— Paul E. Cheesesteak (@paulbensonsucks) May 8, 2023
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Another fan asked Stephen A. Smith to let it go as Butler left four years ago
https://twitter.com/whicares7849/status/1655612718882209794?s=20
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What are your thoughts on Stephen A. Smith’s opinion? Let us know in the comments below.
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