The Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Miami Heat on Sunday night in a rematch from the 2020 NBA Finals. LeBron James and Jimmy Butler led their teams out to the court in Miami, and the Heat actually walked away victorious after yet another disappointing performance from the Lakers.
But after the game, LeBron James had high praise for his former Finals rival Jimmy Butler. In the post-game press conference, LeBron James was asked about Jimmy Butler. LeBron praised Butler for being one of the hardest-working players in the NBA and saying he had nothing but respect for the work Butler puts in.
“Anytime you’re playing this game throughout your career, there’s certain guys that stick out. That you know when you step on the floor, it’s going to be maximum effort every possession and that’s from both sides. You’re gonna win some and you gonna lose some … It was fun and exciting to be in that much. Every time we’ve matched up, no matter what uniform he’s had on, I’ve had on. We’ve always battled it out. I have nothing but for respect for a guy that brings it every single night, brings hit hard hat, punches his clock, leaves it all out on the floor.”
LeBron clearly has a lot of respect for Jimmy Butler, and his work ethic. James got to witness Butler’s incredible work ethic during the NBA Finals when Butler had an incredible Game 5 performance against the Los Angeles Lakers that stopped the Lakers from winning the NBA championship that night.
James also paid respect to the Miami Heat after the game last night, paying tribute to his former franchise, and the Heat responded. But that was where the pleasantries ended for LeBron and the Lakers, as they lost to the Heat in yet another poor outing from the Lakers.
