Jimmy Butler has had a resurgent season in Miami. He was the team’s main off-season acquisition, parting with Josh Richardson to bring him to Miami. He is valued by Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley, with the results reflecting it. Butler’s Miami has surged into the top 4 of the East with a guaranteed playoff berth ahead of them. A lot of this is not only because of Butler’s on-court play but his mind games.

Butler’s 2016 Olympic teammate DeMarcus Cousins has revealed who the best trash-talker is in the league. On Gary Owen’s ‘Get Some’ podcast, Boogie said “I would probably say, Jimmy Butler. I’m a big trash talker. I know J-Wall’s a big trash talker… Jimmy is a trash talker for sure…,” Cousins said. “Draymond Green, how could I forget Draymond. Draymond for sure. Definitely top five.”

Boogie has been out of the league since the LA Lakers waived him to make room for the signing of Dion Waiters. He hasn’t been picked up for the bubble by any team, as he is working through injury to return next season. He last played for the Golden State Warriors.

Jimmy Butler and Miami’s playoff chances

The Miami Heat are the fourth seed with a 41-24 record through their first 65 games. They will be battling Philadelphia (39-26) and Indiana (39-26) to keep the fourth seed heading into the playoffs. Their young core of Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Duncan Robinson has gelled well together, with Butler as the leader.

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Butler is averaging 20.2 points on 45.4% from the field, but a dismal 24.8% from three. He is averaging a career-high in assists and rebounds this year, returning to the all-star game after having missed it in 2019. Butler’s success has been attributed to the way Pat Riley runs the Heat organization and the way Erik Spoelstra encourages the team to play. First, Riley encourages a culture of openness which allows players to voice their minds. Second, Spoelstra encourages the intense style that Butler prefers, due to its impact on wearing opponents down.

The Heat aren’t favorites because the team needs another year to truly discover their identity and challenge the upper echelon of the NBA. A second-round appearance would be a great sign moving forward for the organization.