In a recent interview with the media, Jimmy Butler made sure to note he’s looking forward to a Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers rematch.
It’s not really news, but it bears repeating: Jimmy Butler‘s ready to see TJ Warren again when the Miami Heat take on the Indiana Pacers in Orlando. He made that much clear when speaking to the media on Tuesday from inside the NBA bubble.
Even six months later, the South Beach star hasn’t forgotten the middle finger he was flashed or the kiss he blew shortly thereafter in the early January win.
The NBA scheduled the Pacers twice into the Heat’s remaining eight-game stretch to the regular season. And the two sides could still meet up in the playoffs, too. When asked about the two upcoming games, even Butler couldn’t hide his elation behind the required face mask:
"“I’m pretty sure that you can’t see the smile that’s on my face.”"
He later went on to note that without the questions prompted, a rematch with the Pacers wasn’t at the front of his mind in terms of the upcoming restart in Orlando:
"“I wasn’t paying attention to it…I wasn’t even thinking about it, to tell you the truth. Obviously the world’s going to take it for what the world wants to take it for.”"
And take it the world will, with the two teams meeting up twice in the final three games to Miami’s regular season. To the surprise of one, Butler’s taking the Heat in both matchups:
"“Look, I’m happy to be competing against anybody, anywhere. They’re a very, very, very good team. But I’m taking the Miami Heat twice.”"
The Heat are scheduled to open things back up on August 1st, in a matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Their remaining eight games will determine seeding for the playoffs when the competition really begins. In the meantime, Butler’s focused on being himself:
"“My teammates always got some jokes to throw out there. But I’m going to go out there and be the best version of me.”"
It’s that attitude that made the forward a prime target to bring down to South Beach, and such a natural fit for this Heat culture. The question now is how far can he take them?
Jimmy Butler and likely the entire Miami Heat squad are no doubt looking forward to a rematch against TJ Warren and the Indiana Pacers. So sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the fireworks.