The air in Miami feels different this playoff season, a certain intensity dimmed by the absence of Jimmy Butler. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just score points; he ignites a fire in his team, dragging them to unexpected heights with a relentless will that earns him the moniker ‘Playoff Jimmy.’ Now, that spark resides in Golden State, leaving a void as the Heat, an eighth seed, face the daunting task of the top-seeded Cavaliers. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies, another underdog facing a No. 1 seed in the Thunder, are reeling from a head coaching change and a palpable lack of Butler’s fiery leadership. Charles Barkley, ever the outspoken analyst, sees a clear divergence in their fates.

During the latest episode of Inside the NBA, the crew first revised yesterday’s blowout win for the Thunder. Chuck did have some harsh words for Memphis after they lost by 51 points. It is the fifth-largest in playoff history and the largest game one margin of victory. Charles Barkley called, “This was over quick and painless.” Later, when it came to the Cavs and the Heat, the TNT analyst predicted the latter to give more of a fight.

“I think it’s different because Miami is not going to do what Memphis did,” said Chuckster. Why does he feel this? Well, because of Erik Spoelstra. “Miami is too methodical; they have a way they play basketball…But the Heat are going, I mean the Heat are, they’re probably one of the best coached teams in the NBA, they won’t get blown out, I don’t think.” Even though he feels that Cleveland is the favorite to win, Miami will give them a tough competition. Despite not having Jimmy Butler. This belief hinges on the established “Heat culture,” a testament to their resilience and disciplined execution, qualities deeply ingrained by their respected coach, Erik Spoelstra. Unlike the seemingly rudderless Grizzlies, Miami possesses a structural fortitude that Barkley anticipates will prevent a similar dismantling.

Butler averages more points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks during the playoffs than he does during the regular season, and that’s only one indication of his impact on his previous team. With him now playing for the Warriors, the Cavs did beat the Heat as Charles Barkley predicted, and it was a close affair. By the end of the third quarter, it was just an 8-point difference favoring the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. But Cleveland ran away with the game in the 4th and won 121-100. While the final score reflects a Cleveland victory, Miami’s tenacity through three quarters offered a tangible demonstration of the fight Barkley expected, a stark contrast to Memphis’s immediate capitulation.

Charles Barkley’s previous prediction about Jimmy Butler rings true

As Jimmy Buckets’ exit talks intensified, the Inside crew was torn as the situation played out. Shaquille O’Neal, who experienced Pat Riley’s way during his playing days, was all in for Butler, demanding more money. On the other side, Charles Barkley was adamant that the 35-year-old already had a $48.8 million contract, and he should have honored that. Once the trade with the Warriors was official, many predicted the Dub Nation’s resurgence. But Sir Charles was not on board the hype.

“Jimmy is a very good player but I don’t think it’s going to move the needle. Are they better than they were yesterday? Probably, but they’re still not at the top. They’re going to be in the play in…” Charles Barkley said two months ago, and the team finished in a Play-In spot. It was their second straight Play-in game, and they were victorious 121-116.

Thus began his another playoff journey, this time with the Warriors as they lock horns against the Rockets. In game 1, he ended with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, increasing his lore about Playoff Jimmy. Barkley’s accurate prediction of the Warriors ending up in the Play-In, despite acquiring Butler, underscores his sometimes contrarian but often insightful analysis of team dynamics and player impact.

Jimmy Butler has the 3rd most playoff games in NBA history, recording: 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals. Only Russell Westbrook & Michael Jordan have more. The trade seemed to have benefited both teams as the Warriors found another scorer apart from Curry. Meanwhile, the Heat culture continues as Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro led Miami without Butler.

Even in Butler’s absence, the “Heat culture” allowed them to secure a playoff berth through the Play-In, a testament to the enduring principles of the organization. While Miami ultimately fell to Cleveland, the game’s competitive stretch validated Barkley’s expectation that they would offer a stronger resistance than the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.