SUMMARY
- Pat Riley's reaction to Jimmy Butler's comments following the Heat vs Celtics series has caused a lot of drama.
- NBA reporter Zach Lowe claims that the feud has raised some eyebrows around the league.
Jimmy Butler is the type of person who often likes to joke around or taunt opposing teams, and that’s precisely what got him into trouble shortly after the Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics series concluded. The Heat went into the series short of players due to various injuries. Butler himself was sidelined as he suffered from a sprained MCL.
Jimmy Butler:
“If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would be at home. Josh Hart? C’mon man.” 👀
pic.twitter.com/8Po2qOZq71— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) May 4, 2024
Amidst the chaotic post-season run, Butler said, “If I was playing, Boston would be at home. New York would damn sure be f**king at home.” However, Butler also added that he appreciated the New York Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau, but that the veteran coach doesn’t want to face the Heat in the playoffs. These comments ended up infuriating Miami’s President Pat Riley.
NBA inside claims teams could be on the prowl to acquire Jimmy Butler
During a recent press conference, Riley addressed his feelings on Jimmy Butler’s comments saying, “For him to say that, you know I thought is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious?… If you’re not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut.” Riley’s comments were about Butler also missing out on a good chunk of games due to injuries. However, Zach Lowe claims that this has raised a couple of eyebrows around the league.
“He [Pat Riley] could have said that a little bit more politely… He was like, no, I’m going to hit him [Jimmy Butler] with the jab and then the right hook and be pretty blunt about it. That is that opened a lot of eyes around the NBA. Let’s put it that way. My phone was lighting up during the Riley press conference. They are maybe ground zero for the NBA offseason starting right now,” said Lowe on his podcast. This is a major point of concern as the Heat barely saw success this season and with Butler’s contract slowly coming to an end.
The Heat haven’t indicated a potential extension of Jimmy Butler’s contract
Miami has repeatedly expressed their intention to keep Jimmy Butler. The 34-year-old has proven that he can be a serious threat in the post-season irrespective of the Heat’s regular season run. Sources claim that the Philadelphia 76ers could possibly be open to reuniting with Butler despite a failed first stint. After leaving the Sixers in 2019, Butler clarified that they didn’t part ways on good terms.
Jimmy Butler wants to bring a championship to the Miami Heat and retire in Miami:
“I feel at home, man. I really care about the city, I really care about the people in this city. Miami has embraced me. They’ve wanted me to bring them something they haven’t done since LeBron,… pic.twitter.com/5605TzmdYf
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 8, 2024
The former Eastern Conference Champion signed a three-year deal worth $146 million with the Heat and he’s currently entering his second season of the contract. Jimmy has a player option to exercise, however, he also has the choice to opt out of it and test free agency in 2025. The Heat haven’t addressed a potential extension with the veteran either.