Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler was unable to play in the first round of the NBA Playoffs after picking up an MCL injury, which sidelined him as the Heat lost 4-1 to the Celtics. After the series was over, Butler trash-talked the Knicks and Celtics, prompting Heat President Pat Riley to go off on his star.
“For him to say that, I thought, is that Jimmy trolling, or is that Jimmy [being] serious? If you’re not on the court, playing against Boston, or you’re not on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams.”
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Butler’s comments include him repeatedly stating that the Heat would have beaten the Celtics if he was healthy, while also trash-talking Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks.
“If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would be at home. Josh Hart? C’mon, man. I love Thibs but I don’t want him. Thibs, I love you, baby! But I want to beat you, to a pulp. You want me, I don’t want you. It’s like a one-sided relationship. You are in love with me and I love you, but I’m not in love with you.”
Riley was not happy with how Butler was carrying himself ahead of possible contract extension talks between the star and the franchise. The relationship between Butler and the Heat has been sensational since he joined the franchise in 2019 but it seems there is some tension heading into this summer.
Jimmy Butler And The Miami Heat Facing Tensions
There are some underlying tension between Butler and the Heat organization, as revealed by David Aldridge of The Athletic.
“There have been murmurings this year that Butler and the Heat may no longer be singing from the same hymnal. Butler, famously, does things his way, and Miami’s organization, famously, does not brook much individualism. To be sure, Miami doesn’t mind the uncomfortable feelings a player of Butler’s caliber can create in search of championships, but Heat Culture has parameters and expectations.”
Butler seemed to be an almost perfect personality match with the Heat, but after a season where he’s struggled with injury as the Heat were bottom-feeders in the playoff race once again, it seems the organization wants something new.
Butler is turning 35 years old next season, so the team needs to prepare for the future by building around a player like Bam Adebayo instead of Butler. The team is expected to shift the team’s focus on highlighting Bam next season, regardless of whether Butler stays or not.
“Jimmy Butler is extension-eligible, but between his declining play this season and the constant absences, there are increasingly loud whispers that his future might not be in Miami. The Heat openly talking about Bam Adebayo as the keeper of the Heat Culture flame and not mentioning Butler as much is another notable point.”
The Heat will have plenty of options on the market for a Jimmy Butler trade if they want to make one, with Eastern Conference teams like the Knicks and 76ers interested in acquiring the two-way star.
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