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With two journeys to the NBA Finals and three appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat have faced elite competition in the form of LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, and Jayson Tatum. There’s no disgrace in that.
In just 5 1/2 seasons, the Heat have enjoyed significant success, largely fueled by the remarkable abilities of Jimmy Butler, the passionate and unpredictable star at the heart of those rosters.
Butler arrived in Miami with a whirlwind of energy and fanfare, and exited in a similarly bold fashion. His presence raised expectations; his departure altered them.
During his tenure, the Heat redefined their identity, competing for championships and remaining a key team to watch within the NBA. Over that period, Miami consistently ranked among the top five teams, demanding respect and instilling fear in their opponents.
But that’s a chapter from the past.
Now, Butler reflects on that experience:
“We were decent. We didn’t achieve what we aimed for. So, I don’t know. We had some enjoyable runs. We had fun, and that’s all there was to it.”
This measured reply comes from a player who, though he hasn’t completely turned the page on his Miami days, is about to step back for the first time as a member of the Warriors (Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
Whether sincere or not, Butler is dousing the nostalgic vibe with a comment about it being “just another game.” He doesn’t seem worried about the reception he’ll get from fans who once cheered for him, or from teammates who celebrated with him.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Butler stated. “I’m part of the Golden State Warriors now. I appreciate the love from Miami while I was there, but my focus is on winning now. I’m on the other side.”
He even likened his current return to previous ones in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia, even though his time in Miami vastly eclipsed those earlier stints.
It’s an intriguing perspective. Perhaps he’s still nursing the emotional sting from his complicated exit, which he attributed to a lack of “joy” that led him to demand a trade before the February deadline, with an unresolved contract extension from Miami being the primary sticking point. His final days with the Heat were filled with turmoil, much of it self-inflicted.
Now, Butler appears more at ease, having secured a two-year extension with the Warriors, where he’s found renewed success. Golden State holds a 16-4 record since his arrival, positioning for a playoff berth. Such achievements often heal lingering grievances.
In years to come, when the players involved reflect on their careers, they will likely admit that Butler’s time in Miami was advantageous for both the franchise and himself, allowing him to elevate his stature and showcase his abilities as a leading player.
During his stint in Miami, Butler earned two All-Star selections, three All-NBA honors, made one All-Defensive team, led the league in steals in the 2020-21 season, and was named the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP. While he had notable moments at other stops, his time with the Heat clearly represented the pinnacle of his career to date.
Butler’s legacy with the Heat began with his demand for a sign-and-trade from Philadelphia in 2019. For Miami, this was a turning point. Bam Adebayo emerged as a reliable two-way player, Tyler Herro became a key scorer, and several overlooked and undrafted players exceeded expectations.
Yet, ultimately, this was Butler’s team.
Key milestones included:
His debut season (2019-20) was impacted by the pandemic, yet Butler became the team’s backbone. Previously regarded as a player who fell just short of superstar status, he delivered exceptional performances during the restart bubble. He first led the Heat to a playoff sweep over the Indiana Pacers, then defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo and the top-seeded Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. His efforts culminated in a win over Jayson Tatum and the Celtics in six games, marking his first trip to the Finals.
In those Finals, Miami was heavy underdogs against the Lakers; however, Butler rose to the occasion with a 40-point triple-double—an achievement only previously accomplished by LeBron James and Jerry West in Finals history. His series included multiple 30-point triple-doubles, contributing to a near triple-double average, alongside 2.2 steals per game.
In his third year (2021-22), Miami recorded its best regular-season performance since the “Big Three” era, achieving multiple winning streaks, securing 53 victories, and claiming the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Still, it was Butler’s remarkable playoff run that left the biggest mark.
This phase was a career highlight, solidifying his reputation as a clutch player, a.k.a. “Playoff Jimmy.” His scoring skyrocketed compared to the regular season, which was notable since he was not known for being a heavy-volume shooter.
He scored 45 points against the Hawks in the first round, 40 against the Sixers, and started the Eastern Conference Finals with 41 points (shooting 60% from the field) against the Celtics. In that game, he was exceptional, boasting nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks in a victory.
He elevated his game even further when he forced a Game 7 with a playoff career-high of 47 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, facing elimination. Only Michael Jordan has had multiple games with 40 points and four steals in a playoff series.
Although Miami eventually lost the series after Butler missed a game-winning three-pointer with 17 seconds left, he was pivotal in ensuring that the series extended to seven games.
The following regular season contrasted sharply, as Miami struggled and found themselves in the SoFi Play-In Tournament. However, Butler reaffirmed his playoff credentials, leading the Heat to become the first Play-In team to reach the NBA Finals.
Securing the eighth seed required him to score 31 points against the Bulls, but the defining moment came when he decimated the top-seeded Bucks with a last-second layup that sparked a 16-point comeback in the fourth quarter to force overtime in Game 5, eliminating Milwaukee.
“He’s desperate, urgent, maniacal, and sometimes psychotic about his will to win. He makes everyone around him feel it. That’s why he embodies us and we embody him,” said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra.
In that series, Butler averaged 37.6 points per game, including a 56-point game in Game 4.
Energized by Butler’s performance, the Heat surged through the rest of the playoffs. Other key contributions came from Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Max Strus, and Gabe Vincent, propelling Miami to victory in a seven-game Eastern Conference Finals after establishing a 3-0 series lead against Boston.
However, during the NBA Finals against the Nuggets, Butler appeared fatigued, and Miami faced a surging Jokić.
The 2023 playoff run saw the Heat reach the NBA Finals but ultimately stumbled there. Butler’s health faltered as he suffered a knee sprain, resulting in him missing the 2024 playoffs. He later claimed the Heat would have bested the Celtics had he been fit, prompting Heat president Pat Riley to advise him to “keep your mouth shut” if he couldn’t play.
But it was this accumulation of frustrations and Miami’s unwillingness to extend his contract that fostered resentment in Butler. His availability remained inconsistent during the following season, and on occasions, he seemed to hold back, possibly as a reaction to the team’s slow progress regarding a trade.
Now at 35, Butler joins fellow veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the Warriors, where they aim to extend their careers. If they reach the playoffs, this trio could pose a serious threat.
Meanwhile, the Heat are regrouping. They recently broke a 10-game losing streak and are expected to remain competitive in the Eastern standings, with hopes of reaching the SoFi Play-In Tournament.
The “Jimmy Butler Experience” in Miami was exhilarating while it lasted. What lies ahead for both the player and the franchise is a period of transformation.
But first, a reunion of sorts awaits on Tuesday.
Spoelstra noted, “There will surely be a mix of emotions. I probably won’t express all of them … we had an incredible five-year journey. We didn’t secure a title, but only one team does. We experienced remarkable moments together, which are memorable. But right now, what everyone feels doesn’t matter.”
Butler added, “It’s a game we should win.”
Just another game.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, browse his archive here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
