As the basketball world's gaze affixes on the Kaseya Center this Tuesday, Jimmy Butler's return to Miami is shaping up to be anything but a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The Golden State Warriors forward will be stepping onto the court as an opponent, following a rocky departure from the Miami Heat that ended in a trade just last month. Despite the potential for drama, Butler remains unfazed. "Another game for me, another game that we're expected to win, for sure," he said, according to a statement obtained by ABC7 News.
Butler's history with the Heat is marred by public feuds and multiple suspensions leading up to the trade. Interestingly, during the height of the tension, Heat president Pat Riley challenged Butler's availability for games and the team declined a hefty contract extension for him, as reported by the Miami Herald. Conversely, Butler inked a two-year, $111 million max extension with the Warriors, essentially, what he had sought from the Heat.
On the court, the Warriors have flourished since adding Butler to their ranks, holdin g an enviable 16-3 record when he suits up. Yet, as they brace for the clash against Miami, Golden State might be without their star player Stephen Curry who's dealing with a pelvic contusion. "We have to understand how hard it is to win in this league, home or away, and how even more hard it is to win without Steph," Butler told reporters, according to the Miami Herald.
On the flip side, the Heat haven't been able to capture their old magic since Butler's exit. They've tumbled to one of the NBA's least effective teams, riding a 10-game losing streak as theya headed to Sunday night's game. Butler has been consistent in his comments, reiterating his focus on the present and his new team's success. "I don't pay attention to nothing except for the trajectory of this squad," Butler emphasized in a interview with ABC7 News.
Despite the Heat's struggles, the anticipation around the game extends to those recently clad in Warriors' gear. Former Golden State players Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson, now with Miami, will for the first time face their old team. Acknowledging the mixed emotions, Warriors power forward Draymond Green said, "We want to win for Jimmy, they're going to want to win for Wiggs. We got to come out ready to play," as reported by ABC7 News.
When asked how he would characterize his time in Miami, Butler's response was measured. "We were alright," he told ABC7 News, "We didn't win nothing like we were supposed to. So I don't know. We made some cool runs. We had some fun. I think that's all we did." As for the Miami faithful, it remains to be seen how they will receive Butler on his first game back in the city where he once thrilled audiences with his on-court prowess.
