Miami Heat
Butler said that if he was playing, the Heat would have beaten the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs
During the Miami Heat’s end-of-season press conference on Monday, Pat Riley stated that he would not be trading All-Star forward Jimmy Butler this summer despite making some sharp remarks about the player’s off-court antics.
Butler missed the Heat’s five-game playoff loss to the Boston Celtics due to a strained knee he sustained against the 76ers in the Play-In Tournament last month. Butler made fun of the Celtics on Instagram following Miami’s unexpected victory in Game 2.
In a post-game interview in Game 3, he declared the Heat will win both the game and the series and attacked the media for not giving them more credit.
Butler said, “I think we believe,” to TNT. Everyone else is the one who doesn’t. I’m sick of hearing that guy whenever we win a game on national television if I have to hear one more compliment about Boston. 1-1 is the score. We are going to win 2-1. Peace and see you later!”
He delivered his most powerful remarks to date earlier this month when he told Rock the Bells that if he had been healthy, the Heat would have defeated the Boston Celtics or the New York Knicks.
Butler said, “Video this, 1, 2, 3 action.” Boston would be at home, and New York would f—ing be at home if I were playing.Josh Hart? Man, hurry up. I adore [Tom Thibodeau, head coach of the Knicks]. I want to beat you to a pulp, yet I still love you, babe, Thibs.”
Riley chastised his star after learning about Butler’s varied remarks from Monday.
“When he said it, I wondered if Jimmy was being trolling. Or is Jimmy really saying that? Riley stated. “If you’re not on the court playing against Boston, or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut.”
Riley had said other noteworthy things about Butler besides that. Riley, who is contracted for the upcoming season and has a player option for 2025–2026, remained reticent when asked about a possible extension. “That is not necessary for a year. We need to consider making that kind of commitment, even though we haven’t talked about it internally yet.”
Riley clarified, though, that the franchise is not interested in dealing Butler this summer.
It would be fascinating to watch whether the Heat make any further moves following a poor season in which they were plagued by injuries and finished in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 46-36. The Heat do not appear to have any plans to trade Butler.