Last year, Jimmy Butler eliminated Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks from contention, and the Heat’s star wing aimed to repeat that success. In a widely circulated video on social media, Butler targeted the Knicks, Josh Hart, Tom Thibodeau, and the Celtics. “If I had been on the court, Boston would be watching from home,” remarked Butler, sidelined during the Heat’s first-round playoff exit against the Celtics due to a sprained right MCL. “And New York would certainly be out of the picture.” The interviewer then shifted the conversation to Josh Hart.
“What does that even mean to me? Josh Hart? Come on, man,” responded Butler, a six-time All-Star who has previously played under Thibodeau with the Bulls and Timberwolves. “I respect Thibs, but I don’t need Thibs. Thibs, I have love for you, but I want to compete against you fiercely. You want me, but I don’t need you. It’s like a one-sided affair. You’re smitten with me, and I appreciate you, but I’m not in love with you, you know what I’m saying.”
Last season, Butler and the Heat eliminated the Knicks in six games during the Eastern Conference semifinals and made it all the way to the NBA Finals as the eighth seed. However, they didn’t have the same fortune this year, finishing in a similar position. Butler believes that if he had been healthy, the outcome would have been different.
Key Heat guard Terry Rozier was also sidelined for the loss to the Celtics. Meanwhile, the Knicks are gearing up to face the Pacers in the second round, aiming to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
