The Miami Heat have had a tough time over their last 13 games. The season initially seemed promising, especially with Jimmy Butler leading the way. However, the Marquette forward didn’t share the same enthusiasm. Butler essentially forced Heat president Pat Riley to trade him after several incidents.
Butler was suspended earlier in the season, only to be suspended again after a disagreement over potentially being removed from the starting lineup.
“The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard for team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team, and intentionally withholding services,” Miami said.
The former Heat forward is now in the Bay Area, helping turn the Golden State Warriors’ season around. After the All-Star break, Butler and Stephen Curry have hit the ground running, but a recent injury to Curry has put a slight hiccup in their momentum.
On Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors were set to play in Miami, marking Butler’s return. As expected, as soon as he touched the ball, the crowd made their feelings known. After the game, Butler reflected on his return.
“Yeah, like I always say, I got a lot of love for the city, for the fan base here,” Butler began. “The video was nice. I won’t say there were a lot of emotions, though. I think I went into this thing level-headed. We wanted to win the game.”
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In the other locker room, former Kentucky Wildcat Tyler Herro was asked if he spoke with Butler before or after the game. His response was straightforward.
“No, no, no, no, no,” Herro told the media.
It’s clear that there’s no love lost between the two players, but in the end, both sides got what they wanted. As for Herro, he didn’t seem to give Butler’s return to Miami much thought or attention.
