Caleb Martin lost Eastern Conference Finals MVP to Jimmy Butler by one single vote

Jimmy Butler won the 2023 Larry Bird Trophy.

Despite losing three games in a row, the Heat defeated the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals and will advance to the NBA Finals.

Miami’s Jimmy Butler averaged 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game during the series against Boston. Caleb Martin, meanwhile, averaged 19.3 points with 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. Martin shot 48.9 percent on 3-pointers with 6.4 attempts per game from beyond the arc.

Martin finished with the second-most 3-pointers made (22) in the series, trailing only Boston’s Derrick White (23) during the seven-game stretch. Butler (173) and Celtics star Jayson Tatum (177) were the only players who scored more total points during the Eastern Conference finals.

But when it was all said and done, it was Butler who was named MVP of the Eastern Conference finals.

The six-time All-Star edged out the former undrafted free agent by just a single vote, 5-4, to win the 2023 Larry Bird Trophy.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Doris Burke, TNT, Reggie Miller, Yahoo’s Ben Rohrbach, and Sun Sentinel writer Ira Winderman all cast votes for Butler. AP’s Tim Reynolds, NBA.com’s John Schumann, The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, and Boston Globe writer Gary Washburn voted for Martin.

Both players were qualified for the honor, so the nearly split decision is hardly controversial. But it was also fascinating to see the voting breakdown and learn just how close Martin came to adding such an impressive milestone to his resumé.

Not bad for someone who was cut by the Hornets in 2021.

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