USA Today via Reuters
Sep 23, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half of game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 23, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half of game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat finished the 2019-20 season just 2 wins away from winning an NBA Championship. However, this success wouldn’t have been possible without Jimmy Butler.
When Butler came to Miami, the common narrative was that he tanked the players’ chemistry in the locker room. However, a fantastic 2020 playoff run brought that narrative to an end.
Butler proved to be an amazing leader for this Miami Heat team, and they will be looking forward to running it back with him at the helm come 2021. President Pat Riley praised the 5-time All-Star in a recent Zoom session discussing the future of the franchise.
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“Jimmy chose us, he chose us and he chose this team, this owner, this coach, this president, this city… Jimmy is a whale or an orca and he’s great for us…
“He just wants to win and that’s what you want. He knows when you have to take it to another level and he is capable of taking it to another level… We’d like to find some more, if we can find ’em.”
Riley: “Jimmy is a whale.” Then explains why.
But ends with “We’d like to have some more (whales). If we can find them.” pic.twitter.com/4ulnl6tNNY
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) October 23, 2020
With Butler playing at an amazing level, the Heat have to capitalize on this window. Moreover, they have 3 young stars in Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson, who performed tremendously in the Playoffs.
Next year, the Heat will be a legitimate threat to make it out of the East, and this time around no one will underestimate them.
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Are the Miami Heat favorites to win the East once again?
USA Today via Reuters
The Miami Heat applaud as they receive the Eastern Conference Championship trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Although Miami have a fantastic roster, there are no sure shot favorites to win the East next year. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving finding their way back to action, the Nets will be the favorites to not only dominate the East but the entire league.
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Moreover, the Bucks, Celtics, and Raptors all have amazing teams to dethrone the Miami Heat as the Eastern Conference champions. The race for a spot in the NBA Finals will definitely be closer than ever.
The Heat are right there in the mix as well, but what do you think? Can Jimmy Butler carry the Heat to another fantastic playoff run or was this a one-off miracle?
