Safe to say, the 2023 NBA Finals is gearing up to be absolutely electric.
If Jokic’s legacy would reach new heights with a potential title, what would a first ever ring do for Butler? He came up short in the bubble against LeBron James and the Lakers, but he’s been the key force again for Miami’s run this time.
The 33-year-old has six All-Stars, an All-NBA Second Team, three All-NBA Third Teams, five NBA All-Defensive First Teams and a Most Improved Player award to his name. Though it doesn’t exactly weigh up to what Jokic enters the series with, having an NBA title and potential Finals MVP to his name while guiding a No. 8 seed would be all-time folklore content.
It’s not just Butler whose status would rise considerably with a win. He’s had the help of multiple players who went undrafted. Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin are just some of the members of the squad who were overlooked, but whether they win the title, all have proved in some facet that other teams were wrong in doubting what they could offer to a team. Miami is one of the best in the business in discovering gems for a reason.
But even with that honor, he still flies as an underrated figure in both what Miami achieves and his longevity in a role that has seen fellow head coaches fired just a few years removed from winning a title . He coached Miami to two titles as a head coach in 2012 and 2013, with a third coming as an assistant in 2006.
After starting off in Miami as a video coordinator in 1995, it’s difficult to grasp how he’s never won a Coach of the Year award, let alone receive more recognition for optimizing his players to play better than what appears on paper. Coaching a No. 8 seed to a Finals is already an immense achievement, but winning it all would be the cherry on the top for one of the best schemers this league has seen.
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