In 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers became NBA champions after a 10-year wait. It wasn't a pretty title run, though, as the team had to overcome the 2019-20 season being resumed in the NBA Bubble and a surprisingly tough challenge from Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the Finals.
The Heat star caught fire in the series' first five meetings, which led to LeBron James deciding to take on the assignment of stopping him. Former Lakers assistant coach Mike Penberthy shared what James said while the team was preparing for Game 6.
"LeBron says, 'Coach, I want to guard Jimmy. I want to match his minutes. I feel like I need to match up with him the whole game. I don't want anybody else to guard him. I want to guard Jimmy Butler,'" Penberthy told Lakers Daily.
Playoff mode for Butler
There's a reason why the former second-round pick is called "Playoff Jimmy." In many of his postseason appearances, he has shown the ability to turn it up when it matters most.
Against Los Angeles in the 2020 Finals, Butler looked primed to steer Miami to an upset win over its opponent. After averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game in the first two contests that saw his squad go down 2-0, he went ham in two of the following three meetings.
In Game 3, Butler put up a 40-point triple-double, only the third in NBA Finals history, to lead Miami to a 115-104 victory.
The Heat went down 3-1 afterward. Still, Jimmy had no plans of going home from the Orlando bubble after Game 5, where he registered another incredible performance to help Miami extend the round at least one more contest. His triple-double of 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists made him just the fourth player in Finals history to achieve the feat in an elimination game after Bill Russell, James Worthy, and LeBron, who had done it thrice.
Notably, James went toe-to-toe with his fellow Miami legend in the fifth contest. However, his game-highs of 40 points and 13 rebounds went for naught because of Butler and five other Heat players who also scored in double-digits.
Related: ESPN insider says Rich Paul stopped LeBron James from the GSW trade: "He wanted to insulate James from potential backlash"
James wanted his respect
In danger of giving up momentum to the enemy in a neutral venue, LeBron made sure to bring the championship to L.A. by closing out the Heat in Game 6. According to Penberthy, he was ready to play 48 minutes and match Jimmy's playing time if needed.
Funnily enough, the game looked over in the first half, as the Lakers took a 64-36 lead going into intermission. If it weren't for a second-half rally led by Bam Adebayo, James probably wouldn't have needed to play 41 minutes.
He finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists while limiting Butler to 12 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
The 20-time All-Star proved his two-way prowess and earned his "damn respect" after becoming the first player in league history to clinch a Finals MVP award in three different decades.
Related: When LeBron James opened up about growing up without a father: "Why didn't my dad want to be around?"
Local Los Angeles, CA
Most Popular
Comments / 0