The Miami Heat are currently in a state of free fall, even though they don’t have too much room to fall in the play-in race in the Eastern Conference with the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic all within four games of each other.
We are now a little over a month removed from the Heat trading disgruntled star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. Though Heat have lost five straight and six of their last seven, moving to seven games below .500 for the first time since 2018-19 while Butler’s Warriors have surged into the top-6 in the Western Conference.
According to NBA insider Marc Spears, Butler felt like he wasn’t valued enough with the Heat, who refused to give him an extension this offseason after the 35-year-old suffered arguably the worst injury of his career 11 months ago.
“Butler wanted to be traded because he felt the Heat were moving in a direction without him in mind and he wanted to be more valued, sources said,” Spears wrote. “The four-time NBA All-Star ended up asking for a trade from the Heat in his seventh season with the franchise.”
Butler wanted his money. It was that simple. Golden State gave him the two-year, $111 million extension, so it’s easy to say that the Warriors valued him more than Miami for this year and the next three seasons, specifically.
Butler was, however, the centerpiece of the Heat for five seasons; he was the No. 1 option, the player who the offense was designed around and the one they constructed their entire roster around throughout his time in Miami. Could the front office have done better? Sure! It’s much easier to general manage in hindsight. But it was a mutually beneficial relationship.
On the court, his production with Golden State has been fairly similar to his production with Miami. Entering Thursday, he was averaging 17.6 points and 5.7 assists with a usage percentage of 21.3 percent in 13 games with Golden State; in 25 games with Miami, he averaged 17.0 points and 4.8 assists with a 21.1 usage percentage.
Do you think Butler was valued enough with the Heat? Let us know in the comments!
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Excellent article. Troubling Heat stat suggests Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro can’t be star duo
“The clear problem is that each of Herro and Adebayo, and even Wiggins, are all perfect supplemental stars to a true number one option. But they are all playing out of natural roles, left by Butler’s void. Hopefully, that is a roster change that could be addressed as soon as this summer.
https://allucanheat.com/troubling-heat-stat-suggests-bam-adebayo-and-tyler-herro-can-t-be-star-duo?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 @WadexFlash
“There’s no point of making the playoffs:
Avoid being embarrassed in the first round, getting two great first round picks and acquire another star in the summer such as KD or Trae.
Come back rested, more motivated and stronger next season.”
Projected starting lineups for Celtics vs. Heat
This is likely what the Celtics will roll with:
Here is what the first five for the Heat could look like:
Heat’s potential decision to tank isn’t as clear-cut as fans may thinkTo tank, or not to tank?
“Pat Riley and Spo would never sign on to a full-on tank, but an inadvertent tank looks like it’s taking place whether they know it or not. Miami is better than a team like the Hornets, but these losses are piling up, and the “we’re just bad attitude” could snowball until the season ends. Tank or not, it’s time to set our sights on some mock drafts as Heat watchers. They need playmaking and a wingy bucket-getter. Keep your eyes open for those archetypes during March Madness.”
https://allucanheat.com/miami-heat-struggle-in-crunch-time-to-look-forward-to-the-draft
its not tanking its duncing roziering jaquezing mitchelling
Jimmy, is Jimmy.
I said he will be a success with which ever team he ended up with and he has not disappointed to this day.
Hate him or like him. Jimmy is, who Jimmy is. The most underrated impactful player without a championship ring.
Yesterday, was the first game of me watching Jimmy in Warriors colors.
5 things immediately stood out for me and two of these were later confirmed by the commentators.
The first point was what got me thinking. Some of us, admittedly, this writer inclusive think we know basketball, whereas we know nothing and I hope we can at least admit so.
How could Jimmy be the primary ball handler in a team coached by an accomplished ex player (won 5 NBA championship rings) and an accomplished coach (won 4 NBA championship rings)?
How could Jimmy be the primary ball handler for a team whose point guard is arguably the best point guide in NBA history?….ironically who will think that it is to free up Curry. This is contrary to the thinking today in certain quarters, that the Heat’s main problem is for the lack of a point guard. I bet you, if Curry was with Jimmy in Miami, Curry would have been loaded up with the point guard responsibilities for those who think the Heat needs a point guard to solve its problems.
Jimmy’s success in Golden state Warrior has been a chastisement on those who wished him nothing but failure away from the Heat. They will show their envious resentment at every opportunity they have. His success was never in doubt to this writer and I am so proud for his accomplishments with the Heat and now with Golden State Warriors.
Go Jimmy, Go!
There is no stopping you.
The sound waves of success will always echo to the ears of the blind no matter how much they refuse to acknowledge (see) that success, for the blind navigate through sound in this world!
Butler is a very dynamic player when engaged and his success with the Warriors comes as no surprise. I actually went on the Warriors blog to suggest they would be happy with what he brings to the table. I know a few here were angry and a bit vindictive.
I still strongly believe the team needs a bona fide point guard, one who is a very good distributor, can defend, and give you 12 or so ppg.
In life, as in sports, the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. However, I have been following the NBA for over 50 years, so I do know something about it. I also believe that everybody on this blog knows basketball to various degrees. I may disagree at times with hfl, SM, Bout30, vagibugi, Zac, and others (including you), but I respect what you all bring to the table with different perspectives. Nobody here is 100% right or wrong. The one common thread we all have is wishing our team success.
Well said.
I think the term point guard just has a certain connotation for us Heat fans–White Chocolate, Chalmers, Cole.
When it could just as easily be a player like Banchero, Cunningham, or Morant.
What we need is a primary ballhandler who can force two to the ball, and distribute out of the pressure. Preferably one who can consistently convert layups even if contested (sorry Davion).
Like Vagibugi said, a good player.
Yeah I want him to do as well as possible but first priority is I want the warriors to be a play-in team for the sake of the Heat pick. After that, by all means go win a chip man I want him to do well
Oh we need a point guard badly. If nothing else, because we need another good player in starting lineup,
We know Jimmy now, that’s true. I will always respect him as a basketball player, but to a lesser degree as a human being.
I saw greed, lack of respect and getting his over dead bodies in past months.
But he gave us 4-5 good years and a lot of joy. So no hard feelings. I wish him all well.
Jimmy who?