Jimmy Butler has had a pretty strong stint since joining the Miami Heat. He helped take the team to the NBA Finals in 2020. While he and the Heat struggled last season, this year they came back to prominence, securing the first seed in the Eastern Conference, and right now they are up 2-0 against the Hawks. Both games saw Butler put up solid performances. And Erik Spoelstra wants Butler to get more credit.
Erik Spoelstra recently compared Jimmy Butler to Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, noting that Dwyane Wade would not be left open in late-game situations when he could have an impact. He called Wade a killer and noted that Jimmy Butler has a lot of those qualities, and feels as though Butler doesn’t get that credit from the NBA community, despite stepping up again and again on multiple occasions.
Jimmy Butler slowly reaching Dwyane Wade HEAT Legend status 🔥
Erik Spoelstra leading them to a ring will boost this case immensely pic.twitter.com/YFQoyZ01w3
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCP) April 20, 2022
“Would you leave Dwyane (Wade) open in a big moment? You would not. Because he’s a killer. He’s gonna seize that moment. Jimmy (Butler) has a lot of those same qualities.”
Considering the players Spoelstra has gotten to coach in Miami, such as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the praise he is giving Jimmy Butler is quite significant. And considering the recent confrontation he and Jimmy Butler had on the court during a regular-season game, one that also saw Udonis Haslem and Butler exchange words, it is clear to see that Spoelstra has a lot of respect and admiration for Butler.
Butler has become the leader of a very good Miami Heat team. While none of the players on the team are considered megastars, the Heat have a very solid roster of players that can cause problems for any team in the NBA. And it would not at all be surprising to see the Heat make yet another run to the NBA Finals, especially being led by Jimmy Butler.
