The Miami Heat have transformed since Jimmy Butler joined their ranks in the summer of 2019. Butler was looking to find his way out of Philadelphia, and the team that tried to trade for him years ago came back to get him.

The Heat traded Josh Richardson to Philly to make room for Butler. Under his new leadership, the team has become title challengers.

When asked why he came to the Miami Heat, despite being a part of the title contenders Philadelphia 76ers, Butler said this.

“There’s this one player who played here, Dwyane Wade. He had a hell of a career here. He always told me the culture, the way that they work here, it’s you in every single way.

“Well, I never thought I’d leave Chicago. Then I realized this is a business and I ended up leaving to two other stops. It didn’t work out in Philly.

“But when I got here I could do nothing but smile, because of the way everyone talks to each other, the way everything is laid out on the table, you come in and work, and then we have fun. This is the reason I play the game.

“These guys are like me in so many ways that I absolutely love being here. To compete with and for these guys. I’m having so much fun.”

Miami Heat and their title chances

Jimmy Butler didn’t join Miami just because Dwyane Wade convinced him; he is in Miami to win. The team is making great progress for their first year. Despite having a core of unheralded rookies and undrafted players, the Heat have climbed to the top half of the Eastern Conference.

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They face the Milwaukee Bucks next. The second-round matchup between the Heat and Bucks is hugely anticipated. The Heat have outperformed the Bucks whenever they have met.

Perhaps the Miami-based outfit could be the dark horse that ends Milwaukee’s season early. While they don’t have the experience that the Bucks have, they have shown that their tenacious style can force their opponents to their knees.

We just witnessed what they did to a strong performing Indiana Pacers team. Can a happy Jimmy Butler lead them to success that seemed like a distant dream not too long ago?