Yes, there has been myriad Jimmy Butler news and discourse over the last 24-48 hours. But the Miami Heat still have basketball to play.
The Heat will host the visiting Utah Jazz Saturday evening inside the Kaseya Center, the first of seven straight the Heat will be without Butler–as long as he’s still on the team.
Saturday’s game will mark the end of a three-game homestand, which they have split up to this point. Miami picked up an 11-point win over the beleaguered New Orleans Pelicans while suffering a 13-point loss to the Indiana Pacers.
It has been three games above .500 just twice this season, dropping to 17-15 after Thursday night’s loss. Of course, the dismal defensive performance was overshadowed by some “stuff,” but the Heat’s defense was a disaster; against the ninth-worst offense on Saturday, that cannot continue.
The Jazz enter 7-25 with losses in five straight and eight of their last 10. They are in the #CaptureTheFlagg™ sweepstakes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to play spoiler for a Heat squad that’s had plenty of distraction.
Will the Heat be able to quiet the noise? We’ll see!!!
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jimmy Butler (suspension) — OUT
- Josh Richardson (heel) — OUT
- Dru Smith (achilles) — OUT
- Isaiah Stevens (G-League) — OUT
Utah Jazz:
- John Collins (hip) — PROBABLE
- Elijah Harkless (G-League) — OUT
- Taylor Hendricks (fibula) — OUT
- Oscar Tshiebwe (G-League) — OUT
- Cody Williams (G-League) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Jaime Jaquez Jr., F
- Haywood Highsmith, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Utah Jazz:
- Collin Sexton, G
- Keyonte George, G
- Lauri Markkanen, F
- John Collins, F
- Walker Kessler, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 8:00 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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First, I want to see every single Heat player who steps on the court tonight busting his ass on defense. Miami lives and dies by it’s defense.
Second, I want to see everyone having fun and enjoying playing together, without the distraction or the drama of the past several days, weeks, months.
Third, I would like to see more playing time for Ware, Johnson and hopefully, Stevens.
Fourth, I want to see Miami move on from the Jimmy Butler era as soon as possible via an equitable trade. Preferably a trade that gets Miami a “keeper” such as Desmond Bane or De’Aaron Fox or an expiring contract and a young player and/or a pick (or two) such as Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
Fifth, I’m still excited about this team. There will be a few bumps in the road. Meanwhile the young guys will be learning, gaining valuable experience and self-confidence.
Finally, my advice to Jimmy:
“Be thankful for what you have and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
You had it all in Miami Jimmy, but you wanted more. I hope you find what you are looking for and don’t regret what you are giving up. Best of luck…wherever your journey takes you.
We better win this one!