The Jimmy Butler Return Roundtable: Surprises and mixed emotions

The Jimmy Butler return game is over, and we are almost ready to move past it. But first, we need to get the All U Can Heat staff's reaction to an emotional and eventful night -- and a big Miami Heat win.

Q: Were you surprised at how Jimmy Butler was greeted by Miami Heat fans at Kaseya Center?

Max Marshall: No, I wasn't. There were mixed emotions. I thought that was a fair reaction from fans.

Daniel Riccio: I was expecting a lot of cheers considering how bad the Heat have looked since his departure. So I was a bit surprised to see the boos more audible than cheers on the broadcast. But after seeing how Jimmy acted throughout the night, he deserved all those boos and then some.

Noah Decker: Not really. I think a lot of fans have mixed feelings about Butler. Appreciative of what he accomplished in Miami but angry about how he ended things. I was not surprised to hear some boos.

Alex Villasis: Not at all. The fanbase is split on who was right and who was wrong in the Jimmy Butler fallout, and the mixed reactions showed that.

Brennan Sims: It made sense. There were some boos and some cheers. He's a polarizing figure in Miami now.

Stephanie Meadows: I wasn’t surprised. Mixed feelings is the perfect way to describe Jimmy’s return to Miami. There were boos every time Butler touched the ball, so I wouldn’t say it was ever going to be warm and fuzzy. How Jimmy left was less than favorable. Miami fans are some of the most passionate, and whatever side you are on in the Heat vs. Jimmy debate, fans' reactions, whether appreciative or angry, were present.

Q: Which of Butler’s quotes leading up to the big night bothered you the most?

Marshall: “I’m always painted as the bad guy. Everywhere I’ve been, I’m always the problem.” He quit on his teammates and threw his coach under the bus, but yet doesn’t get why people view him as the bad guy.

Riccio: “Heat Culture” being a “little bit overused” bothered me the most. For someone who represented that culture better than anybody, that quote hurt. I also didn’t appreciate him downplaying his success and time with the team— which was only the most successful chapter of his entire career. No big deal, I guess.

Decker: “We was aight, we didn’t win nothing like we was supposed to. We made some cool runs, we had some fun, I think that’s all we did.” I get it. Butler has a winner mentality and expects a championship out of his team every season. That being said, the team overachieved nearly every season, while Butler himself had some of the greatest performances in a Heat uniform. I didn't like the way Butler's quote made it sound like those years meant nothing to him.

Villasis: When asked if there was a point of no return back in April or May, Butler said “pretty much.” If that was the case, a trade request should’ve been made during the summer.

Sims: Saying his Heat tenure was "alright" was interesting to me. Those miraculous Finals runs established him as the third-greatest Heat player ever in my mind. Hopefully, we all can look back and cherish those seasons. 

Meadows: “We was aight, we didn’t win nothing like we was supposed to. We made some cool runs, we had some fun, I think that’s all we did.” Jimmy has a way of deflecting and downplaying things. I get leaving on a sour note, but his comments often are contradictory. You say this, but then you say that this organization and the opportunity they gave you made you who you are as a player. I get there are two sides to it that Jimmy probably feels, but making it seem like he accomplished nothing with a team he went to the Finals with twice bothered me and others a little, I’m sure. 

Q: What was the most memorable moment from Butler’s return night? Was there a moment that got you in the feels?

Marshall: I thought there would be a moment where some good feelings would come out of this game, but how Jimmy didn’t acknowledge anybody on Miami besides Alec Burks and Kevin Love put a bad taste in my mouth. I was glad when Bam dunked over him.

Riccio: The most memorable moment was the Bam Adebayo dunk over Jimmy early in the first quarter. The moment that got me in my feels, and potentially changed my entire opinion on Butler, was when he refused to acknowledge his former teammates after the game. I thought that really showed his true colors. To disrespect and blatantly ignore the guys that you battled in the trenches with during multiple NBA Finals runs like that says a lot.

Decker: I’m still trying to figure out how Kel'el Ware got that crafty layup to fall. That gets me excited to see more of him for years to come. There wasn't much on the Jimmy Butler side of things that got me in my feels. He was basically a nonfactor in this game. On the Heat side, it was nice to see the Heat play with some energy and joy after struggling the past couple of weeks.

Sims: The moment of the night was Bam's great performance against Jimmy and DPOY favorite Draymond Green. Jimmy was somewhat of a mentor to Bam. Bam watched Jimmy be the leader for years. It was great seeing the Captain outplay Jimmy by a long shot. 

Villasis: The best moment of the night was Bam Adebayo’s 3-pointer that was followed up by an Andrew Wiggins block that led to a layup for Adebayo. As for being in my feelings, Butler was pretty quiet with his former teammates and coaches, so there was nothing to feel emotional about on that front.

Meadows: I think the most memorable moment would have to be Bam Adebayo’s performance and dunk over Jimmy. But also Ware’s circus shot. It was really nice to see the Heat play with the energy I’m used to seeing.

Q: What are your thoughts on Butler’s fit with the Warriors, and do you think he’ll eventually win a championship in Golden State?

Marshall: It’s exactly what Golden State needed. They need another proven guy for the postseason to go on one more run. But, no, I don’t think they get there. The West is too good. 

Riccio: I do think Butler’s fit as a No. 2 option to a guy like Steph Curry is the most ideal situation for him at this point of his career. When it comes to a championship, I just don’t think they have the depth and real help behind that duo to win it all. However, with a proven multi-time champion like Curry teaming up with the powers of “Playoff Jimmy,” anything is possible.

Decker: His ability to be a playmaker with Draymond Green makes Curry even more dangerous off the ball. His ability to drive to the basket and draw fouls adds more versatility to Golden State's shot profile. I would still like to see them play a few more healthy, strong teams before I am ready to rule them a contender. For now, I don’t think they can win a championship this year. With teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Timberwolves getting better, I don’t see a way in which the Warriors could win a championship unless they win this year.

Sims: He's a great fit with Steph Curry on the floor. They'll be formidable opponents for any team out West. A championship isn't out of the realm of possibility when Jimmy Butler is a team's second option. The Warriors' first option is a GOAT candidate and has won with less. Playoff Jimmy will still be dangerous. 

Villasis: I like the fit a lot. I think he has good chemistry with Curry and that duo will be tough to beat four times in a playoff series. With that being said, I do not believe Butler will win a title in Golden State.

Meadows: I think Jimmy fits very well on Golden State. He, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green have good chemistry on the court. This year, I don’t think a championship is in the cards with how competitive the Western Conference is. But I do think it’s possible, especially with how “Playoff Jimmy” can move the needle. 

Q: Which Heat player do you think was most motivated to play against Butler? Who has the most to prove with Butler gone?

Marshall: Bam Adebayo. He had a different look in his eyes and was more aggressive offensively. Plus, Butler’s friends like to throw shots at him on Twitter, so I’m sure it was a good feeling for Adebayo to shut them up for the night.

Riccio: Bam Adebayo for sure. He set the tone with the energy and aggression right from tip-off and never let go of the rope. He started the game with a poster dunk over Butler, and it was all Heat from that moment on. Finishing with a game-high 27 points, the Captain wanted to make a statement.

Decker: Bam Adebayo looked ready for this game from tip-off. He played the entire first quarter and set the tone early, dominating on both ends of the floor. It was also interesting to see him take the assignment of being the first defender Butler saw before switches. As the new leader of the team, Bam has the most to prove. Even though he is an established All-Star, we will need to see how he can grow as a leader to help Miami win and eventually advance in a playoff series.

Sims: Either Bam or Herro. Neither were friendly with Jimmy before or after the game and didn't support his antics (rightfully so). Both stepped up, and that confidence boost can go a long way. 

Villasis: Bam Adebayo was the most motivated. He was in attack mode all game and made it a point to make sure Butler did not score at all while guarding him. As for the most to prove with Butler gone, I am going to say Herro. He needs to show that he can be a reliable closer consistently for the Heat.

Meadows: Bam Adebayo, 100%, was the most motivated to play against Butler. But also just in general. He doesn’t want to see his team lose anymore, and as the leader he has set an example of resiliency. Bam didn’t back down and his teammates followed suit. Jimmy barely acknowledged his teammates, but both Adebayo and Herro didn’t let it bother them. As for who needs to prove themselves with Butler gone, I would say Bam, just because he is the leader of the team. The time is coming when we will see truthfully why #13 is the All-Star that he is. Herro also needs to prove himself in other ways. Mainly staying consistent and being a leader in his own right.