KEY POINTS

  • Jimmy Butler fends off reporters from creating an issue of animated squabble during a game
  • Butler is known to curse but is meant to fire up teammates
  • Butler lauds Kendrick Nunn for stepping up in the absence of Victor Oladipo

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat knows all too well that media and writers will do anything for a story.

It includes taking incidents or quotes out of context, but the five-time NBA All-Star is wise to that by now.

Butler and teammate Bam Adebayo were spotted having an odd conversation at the Heat huddle, and most noticed something different.

It turns out that the two cursed at each other although such is nothing new. The 23-year-old admitted this at a media gathering, but Butler made sure that the conversation would not go in the wrong direction.

“Stop being nosy, man. Next question. That’s between me and Bam. Y’all always trying to get in on something,” Butler said, something that drew a grin from the young Heat center.

Butler has been known to curse or fire up his teammates at times. However, this is not about getting personal.

The 31-year-old just wants to win and make sure that his teammates play their best, Adebayo not being an exception.

Also, it would be best to note that Butler may have been trying to fire up Adebayo and the Heat players.

Although they did win that match against the Chicago Bulls, Miami blew a 24-point lead and saw their advantage get trimmed down to three.

Adebayo and Butler are the Miami Heat’s top two stars and are known to be close. They are not exactly performing like last season although there are other factors like injuries that have played a factor.

Hence, frustration is understandable. But Butler is just showing the passion of winning as he did with his previous teams.

Before joining the Heat, Butler was getting heavy criticism for his alleged outbursts with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers.

But through the years, especially last NBA season, it could be seen that most of these players still had love for the 30th overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft. They know that Butler has other intentions, excluding any personal rifts.

Miami's Jimmy Butler delivered a 40-point triple-double as the Heat clawed back a victory in the NBA Finals with a 115-104 game-three win over the Los Angeles Lakers
Miami's Jimmy Butler delivered a 40-point triple-double as the Heat clawed back a victory in the NBA Finals with a 115-104 game-three win over the Los Angeles Lakers GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Douglas P. DeFelice

Right now, the Heat need to fill up voids with some key players like Victor Oladipo injured.

Kendrick Nunn has stepped up to answer that call, and Butler lauded the young NBA player for his efforts.

“He has stepped right back into the role he had and he’s performed extremely well for us. He’s learned all the right reads. He’s taking all the right shots. When the kid’s locked in on defense, he’s a player that you really have to pay attention to,” Butler stated.

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