Pat Riley’s reminiscences of Jimmy Butler are nonetheless fond.
Regardless of their reportedly contentious cut up, which performed out throughout a number of scathing studies and an eventual commerce that despatched the six-time All-Star to Golden State in February, ending a magical six seasons in Miami, Riley didn’t torch the as soon as fiery Warmth star.
“There’s no doubt that what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team,” Riley mentioned throughout a press convention on Friday. “There’s no doubt about it. So the buck stops with me. I’ll take that hit if you want it.”
He mentioned he nonetheless has a photograph of Butler in his workplace — the well-known one of many 6-foot-7 wing leaning over the scorer’s desk throughout a recreation within the 2020 NBA Finals as he went blow-for-blow towards LeBron James and the Lakers with an undermanned Warmth crew.
“I remember this about Jimmy,” Riley recalled. “I remember the bubble when he was hanging over the scorer’s table. Exhausted and trying to win a title. I remember that. I have that in my office — that picture.”
Butler led the Warmth to 2 Finals appearances — with one other in 2023 — and whereas they misplaced each, and his relationship with Riley subsequently deteriorated, the present and long-time Warmth President selected to recollect the nice on Friday.
However he additionally addressed the commerce itself, saying he’s not going to apologize for a way the group dealt with the scenario regardless of criticisms from some media members.
Butler wished a contract extension final summer time, and whereas eligible, he nonetheless had the 2024-25 season left on his deal.
The Warmth opted to not supply the extension and revisit the contract scenario down the highway, and Butler grew to become sad about not getting paid regardless of his accomplishments with the group, although he grew to become extension-eligible following the 2023-24 season, the Warmth’s worst since he arrived.
“I’m not going to apologize for saying no on a contract extension when we didn’t have to,” Riley mentioned. “And I don’t think I should.”
Concerning the Butler scenario, he later added, “It’s over. I wish him well, good luck to him, and I hope deep down in his heart somewhere he wishes us well too.”
Riley, who jokingly famous that “80 is the new 60,” lower than two months faraway from turning 80 years outdated, says that whereas he has simply made 30 years with the Warmth, his intention is to press ahead in what may very well be a transformational summer time for the all of the sudden middling franchise.
“It’s a process, but I’m not going to deal with a long process, nor is ownership,” he mentioned.
