MIAMI — When Jimmy Butler returned to Miami, the reception was mixed. Some fans greeted him with cheers, but many jeered him, and boos resonated throughout the arena every time he had the ball. Despite these reactions, the Miami Heat enjoyed a favorable outcome from Butler’s return.
The Heat honored Butler with a pregame video on Tuesday night, reminiscing about his 5½ seasons with them. This tribute was part of the introduction for the starting lineup of the Golden State Warriors, Butler’s current team. However, the highlights ended there for the Warriors, as Butler only managed to score 11 points in a disappointing 112-86 loss.
“I hold a lot of love for this city and the fans,” Butler remarked afterward. “The video was nice, but I wasn’t overly emotional.”
While Butler took a moment to watch the 40-second video, he noted it wouldn’t have bothered him if the team had opted not to show it. True to his previous Miami introductions, the arena echoed with Heat public-address announcer Michael Baiamonte’s booming “Jim … my … Butlerrrrr.” Butler acknowledged the crowd, though it was evident he felt slightly out of place.
“It was confusing,” Butler admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on this side.”
Even so, Butler has maintained no animosity towards the Heat despite a tumultuous departure. His trade to the Warriors, following a series of events that saw him suspended three times, left no hard feelings, he insists.
The Heat’s video tribute encapsulated several highlights of Butler’s Miami tenure, including a memorable moment from a game in the 2020 NBA bubble where he was visibly exhausted.
“The atmosphere was electric,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra observed. “For competitors, this is the perfect setting. We didn’t need any extra motivation.”
However, Warriors coach Steve Kerr hinted otherwise, suggesting the Heat’s preparedness was partly due to Butler’s return.
The game was crucial for the Heat, striving to recover from a 10-game losing stint. It was one of their most inspired performances this season, where they never trailed, held the Warriors to 40% shooting, and hit 68% of their three-point attempts.
“This was like any regular game,” noted Heat guard Tyler Herro. “Given the situation and who was coming, we brought extra focus, but it felt like a regular game.”
Parting ways with Miami wasn’t easy. Butler was unhappy about contract negotiations and his role, while Miami disapproved of his absence in a quarter of their games and his public grown.
Now, Butler has secured a two-year, $111 million contract with the Warriors. With Butler on board, the Warriors have logged a 16-4 record in his first 20 appearances, although their recent losses, including Tuesday’s, came while Stephen Curry was sidelined.
“We need 30 back,” Butler expressed, referencing Curry. “While we expect to perform better, having him back would change everything.”
Fans vented frustrations online, but Butler believes the split wasn’t solely his doing.
“Do they view the Heat similarly?” he pondered. “It was never all on me. Maybe it’s 49-51 — 49 on them, 51 on me.”
Butler, benched for 14 games before his trade, is still remembered fondly by the Heat, a team notably welcoming to past stars. His laurels include leading Miami to three Eastern Conference finals and two NBA Finals appearances.
During Tuesday’s game, boos accompanied each of Butler’s touches but turned to cheers when he secured Golden State’s first points.
After the game, Butler briefly acknowledged friends court-side before retiring to the locker room. With a day off in Miami on Wednesday, Butler looked forward to some family time and sunshine before moving on to New Orleans with his team.
“Today’s behind us,” Butler said. “Time to relax, enjoy some food, and soak up the sun tomorrow.”
