Vote how bad a decision did Butler make by shooting?

[TrapperAB]

Ultimately, only Butler knows how good or bad the shot was — did he have his legs in that moment? How tired was he? My memory is that he was really quiet — and stationary — for a lot of the second half. Felt like he had nothing left. Under those circumstances, which is the better shot? A transition three or a drive to the basket?

I love all of the takes here, they’re interesting and insightful and help me see the game in new and different ways. I can see the psychological reasons for wanting to shoot the dagger, both the good (could the Celts really pull it together for a final shot?) and the bad (ego played a role, certainly). My take is that when he pulled up, I was relieved, because I assumed he’d front-rim it, and I was utterly terrified of a drive because as good as Al is, Butler kept finding a way, and he knows how to draw a whistle.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Ultimately, only Butler knows how good or bad the shot was — did he have his legs in that moment? How tired was he? My memory is that he was really quiet — and stationary — for a lot of the second half. Felt like he had nothing left. Under those circumstances, which is the better shot? A transition three or a drive to the basket?

I love all of the takes here, they’re interesting and insightful and help me see the game in new and different ways. I can see the psychological reasons for wanting to shoot the dagger, both the good (could the Celts really pull it together for a final shot?) and the bad (ego played a role, certainly). My take is that when he pulled up, I was relieved, because I assumed he’d front-rim it, and I was utterly terrified of a drive because as good as Al is, Butler kept finding a way, and he knows how to draw a whistle.

I do think there is something to the idea that Butler knew this was the last run the Heat had in them, they needed to finish it in this run because they couldn't handle a 5 minute OT period with what they had left. Needed the win in regulation before BOS could settle back down and execute like they had most of the game.

 

[Euclis20]

I wonder how the discussion around this shot changes if he'd hit backboard first, or air-balled it. Decision making aside, he missed the shot both short and wide - brutal execution.

 

[tims4wins]

I wonder how the discussion around this shot changes if he'd hit backboard first, or air-balled it. Decision making aside, he missed the shot both short and wide - brutal execution.

He was also exhausted. He was a liability on D down the stretch. Just gassed.

Edit: after scoring with 10:57 to play, he went 1 for his next 4, including a missed wide open 3, prior to missing that final shot.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

He was also exhausted. He was a liability on D down the stretch. Just gassed.

Edit: after scoring with 10:57 to play, he went 1 for his next 4, including a missed wide open 3, prior to missing that final shot.

Probably all the more reason to take the 3 there. Making the 2 you still have to get the stop at end of regulation for the right to play 5 more minutes on fumes. Good chance that he recognized this as well.