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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Jimmy Butler enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Jimmy Butler enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Jimmy Butler is coming off an excellent season from last year. He joined the Miami Heat in free agency and was able to lead the team to the NBA Finals, much to the surprise of everyone.
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Butler proved last season that he was one of the elite players in the league. But not everyone is convinced about him and the Heat’s ability.
“You’ve got some really good players that are much better than I am coming back – KD, Kyrie, Steph, KAT … I’d pick those guys over me too.” —Jimmy Butler
(via @Rachel__Nichols) pic.twitter.com/B5G4Wx78uV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 11, 2020
Jimmy Butler spoke on ESPN’s The Jump about the Heat’s chances this season. Butler said that he knows that the Heat are not favorites in anyone’s eyes, and they have to prove themselves.
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He said “Nobody is picking us anyway so, I’m not tired. We still got a job to do. We still got to go out there and prove we can compete with the best of them. We’ll be okay.”
However, Butler noted that he understands why the media might not see him and the Heat over other teams, especially with the caliber of players that are coming back.
“I don’t have to look at any media outlet to know that you got some really good players that are much better than I am coming back. KD, Kyrie, Steph, KAT. A lot of guys that were out are coming back. So I pick those guys over me too…Those guys over me. Yes, I would.”
Jimmy Butler picks other players over him
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CHICAGO, UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 8: Dwyane Wade (L) and Jimmy Butler (R) during a NBA game between Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on November 8, 2016. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
When asked if they should bet against him, Butler gave a classic response.
“Do you want to win or do you want to lose?”
Butler was a superstar for the Miami Heat last year, being one of the true leaders for the organization. Many Heat players have spoken about how well Butler fits into the Miami Heat culture.
Butler’s fit with the team is not surprising. He has played with Heat legend Dwyane Wade in Chicago, and Wade has served as a mentor to him on several occasions. Wade even pitched signing Butler to the Heat to president Pat Riley because of his work ethic and mentality.
It will be interesting to see how the Miami Heat performs this season. If they want to make it to the Finals again this year, they have a much tougher road ahead with the Brooklyn Nets having Kevin Durant return this season.
