“I hear him" - Jimmy Butler reflects on Pat Riley's "keep your mouth shut" comment ahead of 2024-25 NBA season
Miami Heat president Pat Riley called out his franchise player Jimmy Butler over the offseason, leading some to question the latter's future with the organization. However, according to the six-time All-Star, he took Riley's criticism to heart and is locked in ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
After making a surprise 2023 NBA Finals run, Miami barely scraped into the 2024 playoffs as an eighth seed (46-36). The injury-plagued squad suffered a 4-1 first-round loss to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics, with Butler missing the entire series due to a sprained right MCL.
Following the Heat's early postseason exit, Butler told Rock the Bells that his injury decided the East playoff bracket.
"If I was playing, Boston would be at home. [The] New York [Knicks] damn sure would be f**king at home," Butler said.
Shortly after, Riley questioned why Butler was still "trolling" after his team's elimination, asking him to stop.
"For him to say that, I thought, 'Is that Jimmy trolling, or is that Jimmy serious?'" Riley said at his end-of-season press conference in early May. "If you're not on the court playing against Boston, or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut."
While some speculated that Riley's remark could cause an irreparable rift between him and Butler, the opposite appears true. During NBA Media Day on Monday, Butler noted that he was unfazed by it.
"Not too many things bother me nowadays," Butler said. "I’m happy. I’m healthy, I’ve got a beautiful family, and I get to hoop. Not too much in the media is ever going to get to me."
Butler added that he understands Riley's desire for him to play more games, pledging to have a bounce-back campaign.
"I always want to hoop, always want to compete with my guys," Butler said. "I hear him. I see what he’s talking about. I’m going to play as many games as I can."
Over 60 outings last season, Jimmy Butler averaged a team-best 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 49.9%.
However, durability has been a long-running concern for Butler, as he last played 70-plus games during the 2016-17 campaign with the Chicago Bulls.
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Jimmy Butler ready to earn contract extension from Pat Riley and Heat
Per the Miami Herald, Jimmy Butler unsuccessfully sought a contract extension this offseason. However, he appears undeterred by the Heat's decision to stand pat.
Butler reportedly angled to convert his remaining two-year, $101.2 million deal into a three-year, $161.7 million contract. Instead, he will play out the 2024-25 season and potentially opt out of his $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign next summer.
When asked Monday about not receiving a contract extension, Butler highlighted his desire to prove his value to Pat Riley and Co.
"Guess I've got to hoop, got to prove that I am a major part of winning, and rightfully so," Butler said. "I’ve done it before, and this is no different. This is going to be a great year for myself. This is going to be a great year for the group of guys we have. That will take care of itself whenever that time comes."
Butler recently turned 35, so his next deal could mark the last substantial payday of his career. Thus, he should be highly motivated to suit up in as many contests as possible this upcoming season.
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