The Heat managed to overcome a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter of the game to get the win and take a massive 2-0 lead in the series. They benefited from another clutch performance from Butler, who said after the contest that Williams’ trash talk was what fueled the final run.

“He hit a big shot, started talking to me. I like that. I’m all for that. It makes me key in a lot more,” said Butler when asked whether he got some extra motivation from Williams. “It pushes that will that I have to win a lot more. It makes me smile. It does. When people talk to me, I’m like, OK, I know I’m a decent player if you want to talk to me out of everybody that you can talk to.”

The exchange happened after Williams hit a three-point to give his team a 96-87 lead with less than seven minutes left on the clock. The Celtics’ forward said something to Butler after the basket, and the two began going back and forth.

After the incident, Butler immediately responded by making a basket and drawing a foul from Williams for a three-point play. 

Butler scored nine points to close out the game and finished the night with 27 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Williams, on the other hand, had nine points for the whole night.

“I do respect him, though,” said Butler of Williams. “He’s a big part of what they try to do. He switches. He can shoot the ball. I just don’t know if I’m the best person to talk to.”

The post Jimmy Butler Credits Grant Williams’ Trash Talks for Heat’s Win Over the Celtics appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to Ethan Skolnick, host of the Miami Heat-focused podcast Five On The Floor, Butler was offered the spot after Kevin Durant was ruled out of the 2021 All-Star game due to a hamstring injury. But the 31-year-old veteran made it clear to Commissioner Adam Silver that he wouldn’t take the invite as he didn’t want to go without his teammate Bam Adebayo.

Butler and Adebayo played together in last year’s All-Star game but failed to make the cut this year.

Silver then proceeded to name Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis Durant’s official replacement late last week.

It wasn’t a surprise that Jimmy Butler didn’t get the All-Star nod from fans or NBA head coaches this time around. Although he has enjoyed another productive campaign, averaging 20.1 points while posting career-highs in rebounds (7.8) and assists (7.8), Butler also missed 13 games.

Another thing that didn’t work in Butler’s favor are the Heat’s struggles early in the season. Since reaching the NBA Finals in the previous playoffs, Miami has had issues with form and were even at one point out of the playoff spot in Eastern Conference.

The post Jimmy Butler Reportedly Rejected the 2021 NBA All-Star Game Invitation appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

During his recent interview on ESPN’s The Jump, 76ers’ star center Joel Embiid talked about Butler’s time with the organization and how sad he was to see him snub Philly and sign with Miami Heat in the offseason. According to Embiid, the two developed a strong bond and he wishes Butler remained on the team.

“It was a big loss because me and him, we got to the point where we were really close – we’re still close. We talk a lot, that’s my guy, that’s my brother forever. I wish he was still on the team, because I feel like the relationship that I built with him could have gone a long way.” – Embiid told The Jump’s Rachel Nichols.

“When it was the fourth quarter, we knew the ball would either be in me or Jimmy’s hands. I knew I could count on him. This year it kind of changes around. Now other guys have to step up and I have to do more.” – he added.

It seems like Jimmy Butler managed to connect with Philadelphia 76ers’ young players, who embraces his leadership and grinding attitude in a short amount of time. This is the total opposite of Butler’s time with Minnesota Timberwolves, where he often clashed with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, who were not fans of his hard-working etiquette.

Butler averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.1 steals per game last season, appearing in 10 games with Timberwolves and 55 with 76ers.

The post 76ers’ Joel Embiid on Jimmy Butler: “I Wish He Was Still On the Team” appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Since the Heat doesn’t have the necessary cap space to sign Butler outright, the deal will be completed via sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. As part of the deal, Miami will send Josh Richardson to the 76ers.

The deal hasn’t been finalized just yet, as Heat is looking for a third team that is willing to take on Goran Dragic’s contract. Initially, Dallas Mavericks showed interest in Dragic but later decided to pursue other options.

“In analyzing it, his salary was too high based on other things they’re trying to do,” – Dragic’s agent Bill Duffy told ESPN.

Butler was reportedly considering also joining the Houston Rockets via sing-and-trade but eventually zeroed in on the Heat. One of the reasons for such decision was the fact that he can become a face of the franchise there and undeniable leader of the team; something he would not be able to do elsewhere.

While the 76ers had interest in re-signing Jimmy Butler as well, they were not ready to offer him a max contract. They instead used the cap space to sign Al Horford, while Richardson’s addition assures them that they won’t lose Butler for anything.

Butler started the past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to Philly. He played a total of 65 games in which he averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He increased his production in the postseason, managing to total 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.2assists per game.

The post Jimmy Butler Heading to Miami Heat appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“We offered him the extension, and they’ve met and come back to us and said they’re really appreciative of it, they appreciate that we got to them right away and all that, but they declined it,” – Taylor told ESPN 1500. “They said, ‘You guys have done everything and we’re very appreciative, but our bet is that we should wait ’til next year and we could get ourselves a better deal.’ … We did everything we could, and they want to do what they think is right for Jimmy.”

While Taylor declined to specify the exact offer Timberwolves presented to Butler, ESPN reports that they offered four-years, $100 million deal to the 28-year-old. He is currently earning $16.4 million.

“Jimmy’s taking some gamble here, too,” – Taylor added. “That he won’t get injured or that for some reason or another, he has a bad year. Both of us are taking some risk. I think the main thing is we have to play really well this year and be very competitive, and I think Jimmy, as other star players, will want to play on a team that does well and has the potential of doing better.”

Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Jimmy Butler in the summer of 2017, wanting to pair him with their young stars Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and finally make the postseason for the first time in 14 years. Butler did help the Timberwolves to snap NBA’s longest active playoff drought, but they were eliminated in the first round by the Houston Rockets. Despite struggling with injuries, Butler put out respectable numbers in the last season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.

Now the fact that Jimmy Butler rejected the extension from the Timberwolves might be a financial decision. The salary cap is expected to rise next year which could potentially bring Butler a lot more money if he continues to play on this level. However, there are rumors around the league that Butler is becoming irritated by the attitude of Minnesota’s young stars and that he is looking to go somewhere else in the summer of 2019.

The post Jimmy Butler Rejected 4 years, $100 million Extension Offer from Timberwolves appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The Heat managed to overcome a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter of the game to get the win and take a massive 2-0 lead in the series. They benefited from another clutch performance from Butler, who said after the contest that Williams’ trash talk was what fueled the final run.

“He hit a big shot, started talking to me. I like that. I’m all for that. It makes me key in a lot more,” said Butler when asked whether he got some extra motivation from Williams. “It pushes that will that I have to win a lot more. It makes me smile. It does. When people talk to me, I’m like, OK, I know I’m a decent player if you want to talk to me out of everybody that you can talk to.”

The exchange happened after Williams hit a three-point to give his team a 96-87 lead with less than seven minutes left on the clock. The Celtics’ forward said something to Butler after the basket, and the two began going back and forth.

After the incident, Butler immediately responded by making a basket and drawing a foul from Williams for a three-point play. 

Butler scored nine points to close out the game and finished the night with 27 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Williams, on the other hand, had nine points for the whole night.

“I do respect him, though,” said Butler of Williams. “He’s a big part of what they try to do. He switches. He can shoot the ball. I just don’t know if I’m the best person to talk to.”

The post Jimmy Butler Credits Grant Williams’ Trash Talks for Heat’s Win Over the Celtics appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to Ethan Skolnick, host of the Miami Heat-focused podcast Five On The Floor, Butler was offered the spot after Kevin Durant was ruled out of the 2021 All-Star game due to a hamstring injury. But the 31-year-old veteran made it clear to Commissioner Adam Silver that he wouldn’t take the invite as he didn’t want to go without his teammate Bam Adebayo.

Butler and Adebayo played together in last year’s All-Star game but failed to make the cut this year.

Silver then proceeded to name Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis Durant’s official replacement late last week.

It wasn’t a surprise that Jimmy Butler didn’t get the All-Star nod from fans or NBA head coaches this time around. Although he has enjoyed another productive campaign, averaging 20.1 points while posting career-highs in rebounds (7.8) and assists (7.8), Butler also missed 13 games.

Another thing that didn’t work in Butler’s favor are the Heat’s struggles early in the season. Since reaching the NBA Finals in the previous playoffs, Miami has had issues with form and were even at one point out of the playoff spot in Eastern Conference.

The post Jimmy Butler Reportedly Rejected the 2021 NBA All-Star Game Invitation appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

During his recent interview on ESPN’s The Jump, 76ers’ star center Joel Embiid talked about Butler’s time with the organization and how sad he was to see him snub Philly and sign with Miami Heat in the offseason. According to Embiid, the two developed a strong bond and he wishes Butler remained on the team.

“It was a big loss because me and him, we got to the point where we were really close – we’re still close. We talk a lot, that’s my guy, that’s my brother forever. I wish he was still on the team, because I feel like the relationship that I built with him could have gone a long way.” – Embiid told The Jump’s Rachel Nichols.

“When it was the fourth quarter, we knew the ball would either be in me or Jimmy’s hands. I knew I could count on him. This year it kind of changes around. Now other guys have to step up and I have to do more.” – he added.

It seems like Jimmy Butler managed to connect with Philadelphia 76ers’ young players, who embraces his leadership and grinding attitude in a short amount of time. This is the total opposite of Butler’s time with Minnesota Timberwolves, where he often clashed with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, who were not fans of his hard-working etiquette.

Butler averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.1 steals per game last season, appearing in 10 games with Timberwolves and 55 with 76ers.

The post 76ers’ Joel Embiid on Jimmy Butler: “I Wish He Was Still On the Team” appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Since the Heat doesn’t have the necessary cap space to sign Butler outright, the deal will be completed via sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. As part of the deal, Miami will send Josh Richardson to the 76ers.

The deal hasn’t been finalized just yet, as Heat is looking for a third team that is willing to take on Goran Dragic’s contract. Initially, Dallas Mavericks showed interest in Dragic but later decided to pursue other options.

“In analyzing it, his salary was too high based on other things they’re trying to do,” – Dragic’s agent Bill Duffy told ESPN.

Butler was reportedly considering also joining the Houston Rockets via sing-and-trade but eventually zeroed in on the Heat. One of the reasons for such decision was the fact that he can become a face of the franchise there and undeniable leader of the team; something he would not be able to do elsewhere.

While the 76ers had interest in re-signing Jimmy Butler as well, they were not ready to offer him a max contract. They instead used the cap space to sign Al Horford, while Richardson’s addition assures them that they won’t lose Butler for anything.

Butler started the past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to Philly. He played a total of 65 games in which he averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He increased his production in the postseason, managing to total 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.2assists per game.

The post Jimmy Butler Heading to Miami Heat appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“We offered him the extension, and they’ve met and come back to us and said they’re really appreciative of it, they appreciate that we got to them right away and all that, but they declined it,” – Taylor told ESPN 1500. “They said, ‘You guys have done everything and we’re very appreciative, but our bet is that we should wait ’til next year and we could get ourselves a better deal.’ … We did everything we could, and they want to do what they think is right for Jimmy.”

While Taylor declined to specify the exact offer Timberwolves presented to Butler, ESPN reports that they offered four-years, $100 million deal to the 28-year-old. He is currently earning $16.4 million.

“Jimmy’s taking some gamble here, too,” – Taylor added. “That he won’t get injured or that for some reason or another, he has a bad year. Both of us are taking some risk. I think the main thing is we have to play really well this year and be very competitive, and I think Jimmy, as other star players, will want to play on a team that does well and has the potential of doing better.”

Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Jimmy Butler in the summer of 2017, wanting to pair him with their young stars Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and finally make the postseason for the first time in 14 years. Butler did help the Timberwolves to snap NBA’s longest active playoff drought, but they were eliminated in the first round by the Houston Rockets. Despite struggling with injuries, Butler put out respectable numbers in the last season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.

Now the fact that Jimmy Butler rejected the extension from the Timberwolves might be a financial decision. The salary cap is expected to rise next year which could potentially bring Butler a lot more money if he continues to play on this level. However, there are rumors around the league that Butler is becoming irritated by the attitude of Minnesota’s young stars and that he is looking to go somewhere else in the summer of 2019.

The post Jimmy Butler Rejected 4 years, $100 million Extension Offer from Timberwolves appeared first on yoursportspot.com.