Jared Butler opens up on getting opportunity to play with Sixers
Jared Butler opens up on getting opportunity to play with Sixers
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are in a position to let players who haven't had the opportunity to show their abilities have that chance at this stage of the season. Sitting at 23-51 and officially eliminated from playoff contention, the focus now is on development of young players and losing enough to be in position to keep their top 6 protected pick.
Somebody like Jared Butler, for example, is getting the opportunity to showcase his skills at the point guard spot. As a Sixer, he's shooting 10.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 42.4% from the floor and 34.5% from deep in 20 games with 10 starts.
After fighting to get into the league and not having guaranteed minutes, Butler is excited to have the opportunity to play on a regular basis for Philadelphia.
"Yeah, it's been fantastic," Butler said on Saturday. "I don't think people underestimate, like, it's been four years, and it's like, my first time getting, like, straight up games where I know I'm going to play. Like, the fourth year? Somebody telling you just wait four years until you're gonna be able to play, get a real opportunity. It's a blessing, and I'm just glad I'm healthy and I'm able to play so I think it's good for my career."
A big development for Butler as of late has been his 3-point shooting. Over his previous three games, he is shooting 11-for-18 from deep, including shooting 4-for-4 against the Miami Heat on Saturday. The fourth-year guard out of Baylor is continuing to put the work in so he can become that consistent 3-point shooter needed to be a rotational guard in the league.
"The work has been consistent," Butler added. "It's mental. It's a combination of your body and, like, how your body's feeling and the shots you're shooting in the game, but nothing too preservative. I haven't done anything, but the mindset is look I gotta keep shooting or it's gonna be better and believing that I'm a good shooter."
The Sixers will look to give Butler consistent rotation minutes in the final eight games of the season.
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