Miami Heat: Could Jimmy Butler and Erik Spoelstra peacefully co-exist?

With Jimmy Butler’s competitive nature and his history of displaying it for everyone to see, could he and Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra get along?

It’s the Miami Heat we are talking here, so the immediate answer to the question at hand is yes. The reasoning for the answer is where things become a bit more interesting however. When looking at if they could co-exist and get along or not, a few reasons highlighting why they would come to mind.

For starters, as the start is always a great place to begin, you look to the top of the organization. Although Miami Heat owner Micky Arison is at the top of that totem pole, the head of the basketball side of things is none other than Hall Of Famer Pat Riley. That is really all that needs to be said as far as that part goes, but here are a few more details.

Pat Riley is not only one of the most respected people in the entire NBA, but he is also one of the foremost brilliant basketball minds in the world. That comes with the territory when you’ve won titles on multiple levels, as a player, as an assistant coach, five times as a head coach, and three as an executive.

The respect factor from a player of Jimmy Butler‘s ilk should be enough to calm any flaring situations, but if you need an example, there are those as well. One of the common thoughts around the NBA is that LeBron James does not liked to be coached, and if he see’s the person in that role for his team at the time as being unfit to do so in general, he also see’s to it that they are replaced. Although that has been the case in most of his destinations, as that appears to be the case currently in Los Angeles, that was not the case in Miami.

Pat Riley is said to have been the force that kept things in check during the Big 3 era, shutting down any thoughts or notions that Erik Spoelstra would be replaced. He is the main reason why Jimmy Butler and Erik Spoelstra would get along.

When looking at Erik Spoelstra himself, he is a stand-up guy. Not that all coaches aren’t, but Erik Spoelstra has a reputation for being firm yet grounded, all about winning, and willing to stick to his guns if he feels that’s the best route for the team.

Not only does this mean that he wouldn’t back down if need be during a confrontation with a player such as Butler, but if he even let it go that far, his history and personality tells you that he would fix the situation by conveying to Butler that whatever the misunderstanding was about was for the best of the entire team.

Another factor worth mentioning is Jimmy Butler’s relationship with Dwyane Wade. Although Flash is no longer with the Miami Heat, his influence would surely be present.

He could possibly help to smooth any situations out if they arose. If nothing else, him giving Jimmy the run down of how the Miami Heat and Erik Spoelstra operate would at least keep potential disturbances to a minimum.

Lastly, when thinking about Jimmy Butler himself or James Buckets as Coach Brett Brown was inspired to call him, he is all about winning. There would imaginably be no issues or confrontations with Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, because there would be no confusion of priorities or lack of direction if Butler were to join the Miami Heat.

Butler’s past situations have all revolved around the perceived lack of a desire to win at all cost by the other members on the teams he has played on. Jimmy Butler seems to be all about winning basketball games, that will hopefully lead to winning titles.

Coach Erik Spoelstra and the Miami Heat are all about the same things, of course when equipped with the team to do so. That’s why it would be no issues between Jimmy Butler and Erik Spoelstra if they ever wound up together. Now, the Miami Heat just have to figure out a way to make the union a reality.