In a self-authored story on The Players Tribune, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler says he thinks most NBA players would identify Kevin Durant or LeBron James as the league’s most unstoppable current player.
However, Butler’s choice is Houston Rockets guard James Harden.
In his analysis, Butler explains what makes Harden so tough:
Step-back. Floater. Euro step. He has so much in his package, and he’s always hitting tough shots.
In Butler’s view, it all starts with that renowned step-back jumper.
His whole attack is built off that step-back. He hangs the ball out there and teases you with it, and then he waits for you to make a move. He’s reading you. Whatever you decide to do, he’s got a counter for it. Because if you give him too much space, he’s gonna take the step-back, and probably make it. If you get too close to him — if you try to get up into him and take the shot away — he’s either going to lean into you and draw a foul or blow right by you and take it to the basket.
He’s one of those guys you game plan for. Like you go into the game saying, ‘We’re not gonna let James drop 40 on us.’ And he still drops 40 on you. That’s the mark of an unstoppable player.
"I don’t care if you average 40, or if you’re supposed to be the best player in the world. I’m here to battle every night. And I think I can play with the best of them."@JimmyButler on the top 5 most unstoppable players he's ever faced. https://t.co/jYbrOs2dHs
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) January 13, 2020
Other players on Butler’s “top five” list are Durant, James, Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving, and Golden State guard Steph Curry.
Butler was a free agent last offseason, and the Rockets initially sought to pair him with Harden. But the 6-foot-8 forward — and a native of Tomball, Texas, located just outside Houston — spurned his childhood team for Miami, where he’s averaging 20.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Harden and Butler were reportedly in close communication with each other in the weeks leading up to free agency.
Even though Butler passed on the chance to play with Harden, he still seems to view the Houston star and former MVP as the league’s best.
I think if you asked multiple people who the most unstoppable player in the league is right now, it would be a toss-up between a healthy KD and [LeBron] James.
But if you ask me? It’s James Harden, for the win.
Through 37 games of the 2019-20 season, Harden leads the league with an average of 37.7 points per game, which would be the highest total of any NBA player in 56 years and the most by a guard ever.
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