Jimmy Butler might have just made the best defensive play we’ve seen so far in this young NBA season.
Look, I know that feels like hyperbole. But it’s hard to block jump shots. Especially jump shots from elite scorers who do just about everything to throw you off your timing and get you up in the air.
That’s what Devin Booker tried to do against Butler in the waning moments of the Heat’s win against the Suns. The game was on the line with the Suns down 1. They’d just gotten the ball back from an offensive rebound on the possession prior.
Booker got the ball with a chance to win the game for Phoenix. He jabs steps. Jabs again. Takes off to his right hand and then rises up.
Butler takes care of the rest of it. Take a look.
Watch our sneaker unboxing series, Special Delivery
Here's the play
Just phenomenal defense from Butler here to close out the game. Incredible stuff.
This final defensive sequence to seal the win for the @MiamiHEAT by Jimmy Butler is game ball worthy! pic.twitter.com/kLsFOaFRlU
— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2022
But it gets better.
Here it is in a photo
Just look at the extension Butler had to get to block this shot. What an incredible play.
Phenomenal stuff.
Here's another angle
Again, the extension. Booker didn’t know what was coming here.
Incredible shot of Jimmy Butler's game-winning block by our @photovarelaMH. https://t.co/nF3E937KUd pic.twitter.com/jhauNDBtAL
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) November 15, 2022
Here's the play from the crowd
These shots are awesome because you really get a feel for the vibe the audience had. And you can tell here they were elated.
Jimmy Butler, closer on D pic.twitter.com/bI7zFPeHMm
— Five Reasons Sports (@5ReasonsSports) November 15, 2022
A slo-mo look
From this angle you get a sense of the insane timing Butler had on this one.
Another angle of Jimmy Butler clamping Devin Booker on the potential game-winner 🗜
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) November 15, 2022
Just incredible stuff, man. Salute to Jimmy. This is going to go down as one of the best plays we’ve seen all year.