#PLAYOFFMODE: Bucks Psyched Up or Psyched Out?
The Buckette List
I was not looking to start my week on Monday night with a broken heart but here we are. Sunday night watching the Minnesota Timberwolves step up and stop the Denver Nuggets from sweeping the series in OT was unbelievable. It was inspiring to witness that in a 3-0 series, you cannot predict a game four outcome in NBA playoffs.
That comeback story was what the Milwaukee Bucks needed last night. Miami Heat were leading the series 2-1 going into game 4. This was somewhat understandable after Giannis went out with a back injury in game one. But the Greek Freak had been cleared to start and it looked like this game was theirs to win. The Bucks started out strong and outscored the Heat every quarter, except for the last one, and that is when things took an unexpected turn.
There is no denying that the Miami Heat player, Jimmy Butler, is a skilled basketball player. I mean you don’t get the nickname Buckets because you shoot like Ben Simmons. (I know that Simmons is injured but still sorry, not sorry.) There is something about the playoffs that makes Butler go off, he hits differently in the postseason year after year. When I saw that Miami was the round 1 matchup for the Bucks, I knew that top seed playing bottom seed doesn’t mean a thing when Jimmy is in the mix.
What is the explanation for Jimmy Butler’s #PLAYOFFMODE ?
In high competition stakes, like the NBA playoffs, it becomes more about the mental game than the physical game. Physically, all these guys are top-tier outstanding athletes, that is how they got to be professionals, right? Mentally, however, these unhuman ballers really are just people, vulnerable to the same pressures and anxieties as the rest of us. Even worse they have to handle their struggles in the limelight, being criticized day in and day out.
The mental game is the only way to explain how Butler put up a franchise game-high record of 56 points, while MVP finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo scored only 26 points. The Heat were down by 12 points with only 6 minutes left in the game. That pressure of losing the game got Butler to lock down and explode into peak performance mode. Butler responds to stress with focus and fire.
While, on the other side, did having over a week off from playing get to Giannis? The pressure and anxiety of evening out the series, bringing a top MVP-level performance, and dominating like a one-seed would be enough stress to distract him from his peak. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night back home in Milwaukee. Cross your fingers Bucks fans that the big man is able to get his head in the game and keep the series alive.
I do need to give a huge shout-out to Buck’s center, Brook Lopez, he hit his career-high last night with 36 points. In game 2 of the series, Lopez really brought his skills to prove to Miami that the Bucks have the talent to win games without their star player. Again, Lopez did not fail tonight to bring some poster-perfect dunks. #fearthedeer
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