How Did We Get Here?
On May 17, the Miami Heat hosted the Boston Celtics for the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals. These are the winningest, strongest teams in the Eastern Conference, either due to their skill or sheer luck in previous playoff matchups, and they’ve earned their place here. The series has only just begun, but I already love the intensity that both teams have brought so far.
In Miami, Jimmy Butler has long been building a reputation as a fierce, no-nonsense competitor with a “Hall of Fame work ethic,” according to Erik Spoelstra. In the 2021-22 regular season Butler averaged 21.4 points per game, and that aforementioned work ethic inspires his teammates to be their best in practice and at game time. Bam Adebayo and Meyers Leonard, for example, adjusted their workout schedules to keep up with Butler, who famously arrives at team practices several hours early.
Butler (22) and Boston’s Derrick White (9). Photo by Michael Reeves/Getty Images
Playoff Jimmy Butler, however, is an even fiercer competitor. In the first game against Boston, Butler scored 41 points, made nine rebounds, and had five assists, four steals, and three blocks. According to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post, “It only happened to be the first time a player had registered those numbers in the playoffs since the league began counting steals and blocks.” The Heat took game one with a final score of 118-107, thanks to the continued strength of Jimmy G. Buckets.
The Miami Heat triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and I never doubted that Butler would lead Miami to the ECF. Not only did Miami prove to be the better team athletically, they were simply more competitive than the 76ers. Joel Embiid is going to need a teammate as intense and passionate about the game as Butler in order to propel the 76ers to the Heat’s level of success.
Jayson Tatum (0) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Photo by Morry Gash/AP Photo
The Boston Celtics’ road to the ECF was a little more contentious, if not ambiguous. Their semi-finals series against the Milwaukee Bucks was incredible, a true display of the benefits of teamwork and chemistry. Performances by Al Horford and this season’s Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, both offensively and defensively, were crucial in keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo at bay, and the Celtics succeeded. Jayson Tatum scoring 46 points in game six didn’t hurt Boston’s momentum either.
Antetokounmpo had some incredible games in the semi-final series as well, scoring 40 plus points in games three, five, and six. He carried immense responsibility in leading Milwaukee’s offense, especially with Khris Middleton out with a knee injury. Antetokounmpo, Tatum, and their teams as a whole seem pretty evenly matched. Their series could have gone either way.
I just find it unfortunate that two MVP candidates, one of whom led his team to a championship last season, did so much work to lead their teams to the semi-finals and came up short. That’s not to discredit the successes of Miami and Boston, who earned the right to play in the ECF.
Milwaukee and Philadelphia have a different set of circumstances behind their lacking performances anyway, and it wouldn’t be fair to compare Middleton’s injury and subsequent absence from the series to Harden’s appearance but lack of drive. Those games are in the past anyway.
Boston and Miami will face off again on May 19, 21, and 23 for their next few games, and the Celtics’ roster is subject to change. Al Horford, absent from game one due to health and safety protocols, is expected to make his return in game two. Marcus Smart’s status is to be determined due to an injury, and Derrick White will not play. Congratulations to White and his family as they welcome their first child.
