Houston James Harden vs. Miami Jimmy Butler

[Nike D'Antoni]

Interesting

[kawhileonard2]

This may seem like a stupid question, but hear me out. Is there an argument for Jimmy Butler? Perhaps on the basis of defense and a more 'playoff-suited' game?

Let's hear your thoughts.

Harden for sure.

[PeroAntic]

Harden for sure.

[HoopsNY]

Harden isn't fit to polish Butler's shoes.

Agreed; I'm surprised so many people are choosing Harden.

[HoopsNY]

Peak Harden's game clearly leveraged how the game has been called in the regular season for several years now. Butler's game has never been dependent on that, and because refs call it different in the playoffs Jimmy Buckets holds up better in that context.

Very good point

[Im Still Ballin]

Updated stats:

James Harden Houston Playoffs:

- 28.6 ppg / 5.6 rpg / 7.3 apg / 1.9 spg / 0.6 bpg / 4.4 topg
- 57.8% TS
- +7.6 BPM
- 24.0 PER
- 85 games played

Jimmy Butler Miami Playoffs:

- 24.7 ppg / 6.8 rpg / 5.5 apg / 1.9 spg / 0.6 bpg / 2.2 topg
- 60.4% TS
- +7.9 BPM
- 25.9 PER
- 46 games played

Updated stats:

James Harden Houston Playoffs:

- 28.6 ppg / 5.6 rpg / 7.3 apg / 1.9 spg / 0.6 bpg / 4.4 topg
- 57.8% TS
- +7.6 BPM
- 24.0 PER
- 85 games played

Jimmy Butler Miami Playoffs:

- 25.2 ppg / 6.8 rpg / 5.5 apg / 2.0 spg / 0.6 bpg / 2.2 topg
- 59.7% TS
- +7.7 BPM
- 25.6 PER
- 53 games played

[iamgine]

Butler has been going nuclear in the past 2 playoffs. He had never even been close to this good before.

[SouBeachTalents]

Butler has been going nuclear in the past 2 playoffs. He had never even been close to this good before.

Yep, he definitely never came close to this level of play in the Finals or anything.

[PeroAntic]

Updated stats:

James Harden Houston Playoffs:

- 28.6 ppg / 5.6 rpg / 7.3 apg / 1.9 spg / 0.6 bpg / 4.4 topg
- 57.8% TS
- +7.6 BPM
- 24.0 PER
- 85 games played

Jimmy Butler Miami Playoffs:

- 25.2 ppg / 6.8 rpg / 5.5 apg / 2.0 spg / 0.6 bpg / 2.2 topg
- 59.7% TS
- +7.7 BPM
- 25.6 PER
- 53 games played

Stats don't capture the difference. The way Jimmy involves his teammates within the flow of the game and anchors them defensively is beyond anything Harden can do with his stats.

[John8204]

Which is the only thing that matters. Because guess what, it's a TEAM SPORT.

The stupidity of this idiot never ceases to amaze me.

And then you voted for Kobe over Lebron

Anyways...Butler is making a good case against Harden if he wins a title as an 8....I'm not just putting Butler over Russ, Harden....I'm looking at Durant