NBA legend shares concern for Heat star Jimmy Butler after suspension

Much of the recent conversation surrounding Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler revolves around his attitude, demeanor and effort, especially after his recent suspension.

NBA legend Carmelo Anthony is simply worried about Butler.

On the January 9th episode 7 p.m. in Brooklyn On the podcast, Anthony expressed his confusion about the recent narrative surrounding Butler. Fans and pundits criticized Butler for not trying to quietly retire in the two games before his recent suspension.

“That’s not the Jimmy I know,” Anthony said. “There’s something going on with Jimmy and people need to be aware of it.”

Anthony cited Butler’s “workaholic” reputation and stories about six-time All-Star practices at 5 a.m

Anthony directed his next message to Heat president Pat Riley, telling him that the two sides need to part ways as quickly as possible before the Feb. 6 deadline.

“This is going to get ugly because Jimmy is not the type of guy to back down,” Anthony added. “He’s going to start forcing his way, and then if you don’t trade him by the deadline, this Miami shit is going to get bad.”

Butler’s suspension ends next week and he is expected to rejoin the Heat on Jan. 17 for the Heat’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Although the Heat could theoretically deal for him before then, there is no indication that a trade will happen in the coming days.

Anthony sounds skeptical that both sides will resolve their issues and carry on as normal.

“The decision is that the Heat have to trade him,” Anthony argued.

MIROTIĆ DEFEND BUTLER’S EFFORT

Former NBA star Nikola Mirotić doesn’t like what he hears about struggling Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

Mirotić, who spent three seasons with Butler on the Chicago Bulls, denied recent allegations that his former teammate had “quietly quit” with the Heat. Critics criticized Butler’s efforts before the Heat suspended him last week for conduct detrimental to the team.

“Jimmy Butler is probably the hardest-working player I have ever seen,” said Mirotić Best in class Podcast.

Mirotić recalled Butler’s “crazy routines” during their time together. According to Mirotić, Butler showed up at the Bulls’ practice facility at 3 a.m. with his personal trainer and spent two hours lifting weights.

Butler switched to basketball practice at 5 a.m., hours before Mirotić and the rest of the Bulls arrived her practice.

“There were days when Jimmy would come to training, take off his shoes and just sit there and watch us train,” Mirotić recalled. “I’m like, ‘Why isn’t Jimmy practicing?’ Then someone said to me, ‘Jimmy was training with his trainer earlier.'”

“It was his own routine and it worked for him,” Mirotić added. “It had its own rhythm and after a while I understood it.”

HERRO TALKS THAT IT IS ALMOST DEVELOPED BY CELTIC

Here’s a nightmare scenario for Heat fans: Imagine if the rival Boston Celtics signed Tyler Herro in 2019.

On the January 7th episode The OGs On the podcast, Herro shared that the 18-time NBA champion intended to add him to an already deep roster a few years ago. Boston entered the 2019 draft after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in two of the last three seasons.

“They had already guaranteed me the election for the most part,” Herro said. “And then Miami took me away shortly before when I was 13. So it was a blessing.”

One might think that Herro didn’t have an ideal team in mind when preparing for the draft. Not necessarily, especially when the league finalized the draft order in the spring.

“When I saw the numbers of the teams they were drafting and I saw that Miami was 13, I had already bet on Miami months before they even drafted,” Herro remembers.

“It was like a dream to go to Miami.”

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Jake Elman is a writer for SI’s Miami Heat. He can be reached at [email protected] or follow him on X @JakeElman97.