We can file this one in the section of preseason comparisons we didn’t expect to hear. Although the discourse around the NBA has mostly been about the league’s relationship with China, there was enough cover for Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to throw out a wild comparison for his new star wing, Jimmy Butler: LeBron James.
Spoelstra is qualified to give such comparisons given that he coached LeBron. But it seems like a stretch. Spoelstra brought up the comparison because of Butler’s playmaking and passing for his teammates.
Via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
“I think it’s really rare for a star player,” Spoelstra said, as the Heat turned their attention to Thursday night’s exhibition against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. “In that regard, he reminds me of LeBron. He is so aware and mindful of his teammates and he wants his teammates to play well and be in rhythm, even at the expense of his own offense.”
Butler, as many would agree, is nowhere near the passer that LeBron James is. LeBron is arguably the best passer of all time and he has averaged 7.2 assists per game over the course of his career, with a career-best average of 9.1 assists in 2017-18.
In Butler’s best season, he averaged 5.5 assists per game with the Chicago Bulls in 2017.
