Tag: Jimmy Butler

Sixers preparing for challenge of facing scrappy Heat on Christmas

The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for a big challenge in front of them when they face the Miami Heat on Christmas.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing to head to South Florida to take on the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat on Christmas Day. The Heat will enter the contest 17-12, and they will offer a test for the Sixers here in the early portion of the season.

Led by Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the Heat are a scrappy bunch who are always ready for any type of battle. As the Sixers prepare to invade the Kaseya Center on Christmas, they know the type of challenge that awaits.

It doesn’t matter to them that Miami reached the finals in 2023. They’re focused on right now and getting ready to fight.

“I would think more so just because they’re the Heat,” De’Anthony Melton said. “They play hard. They play scrappy and they’re real disciplined. So I think those type things is what we need, just in terms of our outcome of the game, but I mean, it’s a new year. Honestly, they made the finals but I think them being who they are as a team is what makes them so challenging.”

This could be a statement game for the Sixers considering who the Heat are and what they bring to the table every night. However, both Philadelphia and Miami are still working things out.

“It’s still early on in the season,” added Robert Covington. “Like we’re still finding ourselves, there’s still so many pieces. Of course, they have the experience and it definitely is a test, but I mean, like I said it’s still new components. It’s not the same team as last year. There’s different components on both sides.”

Considering the experience the Heat have and who they are, this will offer an idea of what’s to come when the playoffs come around in April and May. The Sixers have to be prepared for the challenges.

“So it’s just basically getting a feel for what’s gonna happen as the season goes on that line,” Covington added. “It’s gonna be a good test. We know what Miami Heat culture is like so it’s gonna be a great game.”

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Jimmy Butler had a perfect reason why he called out his shot while he completed a skyhook

It sounded like Jimmy Butler was playing H.O.R.S.E. against the Bulls.

Jimmy Butler had an amazing tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during a Miami Heat victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Butler, who finished with 16 points as well as three rebounds and six assists, scored on Abdul-Jabbar’s signature skyhook shot during the first quarter.

It was a delightful moment no one could have predicted before it was happening, but if his defenders weren’t sure that’s what he was doing, he made sure to let them know.

Even on the broadcast, it was impossible to not hear Butler yell out “skyhook” as he took the shot.

During his postgame media availability, he added some context.

Here is what he said:

“I got to pick and choose my spots wisely because I’m in a 3-point shooting slump right now, so I got to go to what I know, which is the skyhook.”

Butler was then asked when he last attempted a skyhook and he said that it mostly happens during practice. He said that he “just be out there doing stuff” during practice.

The six-time All-Star also explained why he identified the name of the shot as he took it:

“I just had to let everybody know that’s the shot I was going to do and there’s nothing anybody could do about it because I made my mind up as soon as I went middle.”

While not all of them are skyhooks like Abdul-Jabbar, the Heat star is a perfect 3-of-3 on his hook shots so far this season, per Synergy.

It is unlikely that trend continues, though, as he was 11-of-26 (42.3 percent) on hook shots last season and 13-of-23 (56.5 percent) the season prior.

During his first season with Miami in 2019-20, however, Butler was 12-of-18 (66.7 percent) on his hook shots. That ranked second-best among those with at least 15 attempts, also via Synergy.

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Ranking the top 30 NBA players over 30 years old, with Anthony Davis among the newcomers

A thorough ranking of the 30 best NBA players over 30 years old.

When I put together my first list of the top players over 30 years old, at the start of last season, the rankings were mostly based on what players had already accomplished in their careers. Predictably, the list was led by LeBron James, and players who were in the middle of obvious declines were also ranked a little too high as a result.

This year, I’m weighing those career accomplishments with some personal projection to try to get a more accurate picture of where players might finish the season. I’m also expanding the list from 20 to 30 names, because 30 over 30 has a better ring to it.

With that said, let’s get into it.

Related: Ranking the 23 best NBA players under 23 years old

Ranking the NBA’s 10 best star trios (now including Dame, Giannis and Middleton)

Can anyone compete with the defending champs?

You need a lot of star power on your roster in order to win a championship in the NBA and several teams just added significant talent.

As the offseason ended, the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard while the Celtics added Jrue Holiday. Earlier this offseason, meanwhile, the Suns added Bradley Beal to a lineup that already had Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But how do these revamped contenders stack up with the league’s top three-man lineups?

Many publications have ranked the best duos in the NBA — which you can read here, here, here or here. But we wanted to look at the best star trios in the league right now. Here is what we concluded:

Note: Net rating is how many points per 100 possession each team has outscored opponents when these three players are on the court at the same time.

The 12 best and funniest nicknames for Jimmy Butler’s new emo look, according to NBA fans

Excited to see “Heat Wentz” play this season.

Jimmy Butler is going through a lot right now. Butler and the Miami Heat hoped to land Dame Lillard in a blockbuster off-season trade. Instead, Lillard went to the Milwaukee Bucks, and — to add insult to injury. — Miami lost Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics.

Understandably, this has left Butler in his feelings.

MORE: Jimmy Butler seemed salty Dame Lillard isn’t coming to Miami with ‘tampering’ comments

The six-time NBA All-Star wore his heart on his sleeve at Monday’s media day, sporting a brand new (and VERY emo) hair style, complete with lip and eyebrow piercings.

Immediately, the nicknames and memes started flowing.

Jimmy Butler’s new ’emo’ hairstyle is so spot on after the Damian Lillard trade

Poor Jimmy Butler, man.

Jimmy Butler is truly the pulse of the Miami Heat, man. There’s no doubt about it. He carries the vibe of the team through good and bad.

So, clearly, the entire city must be blasting the best of My Chemical Romance right now. That’s clearly the vibe Jimmy is on today.

Butler showed up to Miami Heat media day with his hair freshly pressed and straightened, throwing everybody for a bit of a loop. Of course, reporters had to ask Butler about his new look.

He says he’s “emo,” now, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, which totally makes so much sense after the Damian Lillard trade.

Can you blame him, honestly? His team fumbled a chance at an All-Star point guard that very clearly wanted to be there. AND Miami lost Jrue Holiday to Boston? While Lillard is in Milwaukee? Yeah, that’s a massive L, Heat.

My boy Jimmy is down horrendous right now.

My guy really has the look down.

Poor, poor Jimmy. And the rest of the Heat, too, honestly. I feel for them. The offseason went from lit to “Do we really have to play basketball this year?” in record time.

Fans felt him. They had jokes, too. They’re calling him “My Jimmical Romance” now and I just cannot deal with this.

Damian Lillard drops ‘Farewell’ song to fans: ‘I will continue leaving trails, but it won’t be for the Blazers’

Turn this song up! It’s getting shady in here.

There is nothing better than a not-so-shady but actually shady song. Former Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard dropped a goodbye track to fans Wednesday that is so good.

Under his alias “Dame D.O.L.L.A.,” Lillard released the song shortly after his trade to the Milwaukee Bucks. His monumental move to join Giannis Antetokounmpo and crew has the NBA world shook. Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler couldn’t help but ask the league to look into the Bucks for tampering.

Lillard put his thoughts into lyrics to celebrate the occasion in a song called Farewell. When the music begins, it paints a picture of realizing that sometimes situations and life will inevitably change, but pressing forward through the shifts is necessary.

The track seems relatively harmless until the 2:05 mark arrives. That’s when things go full scorched earth.

Very matter-of-factly, Lillard says:

I could never be replaced. They’ll know sooner than later. An arrow pointed at who assumed it was greater. Amazing what I get in return for this labor. I will continue leaving trails, but it won’t be for the Blazers.

Cold. But Lillard wasn’t done yet. The lyrics continue getting hotter.

He then addressed fans directly with hopes for a welcomed reunion before taking a parting shot at the Blazers: In the future, man, I hope we greet with hugs and kisses, but you should know that they the ones that chose another mission. They fishin’.

Whew. Please tell us how you really feel, Dame!

Lillard all but certainly set any remaining parts of the relationship with Portland’s front office ablaze. (I’m sorry. That was too good not to include. Not enough fire puns.)

Hang in there, Blazers fans. At least you’ll still get to see Lillard twice a season.

Jimmy Butler seemed salty Dame Lillard isn’t coming to Miami with ‘tampering’ comments

Is Butler really accusing the Bucks of tampering, or is he just mad?

For much of the NBA offseason, the buzz was that longtime Portland Trailblazer Dame Lillard wanted out and preferred to take his talents to South Beach to join the Miami Heat.

When trade news finally broke on Wednesday afternoon, the destination was instead Milwaukee, where Lillard would join Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

To say the trade was shocking would be a bit of an understatement. Oddsmakers had the Bucks at +3000 to land the seven-time All-Star, and expectations in Milwaukee have shot up as a result.

MORE: Damian Lillard trade grades: Who won the Bucks, Trail Blazers, and Suns deal?

Miami’s Jimmy Butler was one player was seemingly unhappy with the way things ended up, taking to his Instagram stories to tell the NBA they should look into tampering by the Bucks:

“Y’all need to look into the Bucks for tampering,” Butler said. “Y’all do. I’m just gonna put that out there.”

Butler wasn’t the only member of the Miami Heat that thinks that way as Tyler Herro chimed in with a retweet of his teammate.

Are these hurt feelings on Butler’s part, or is there something more sinister at play?

Jimmy Butler could not believe it cost him over $145 to gas up his multi-million dollar Bugatti

Jimmy Butler was SHOCKED.

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler was absolutely shocked when he saw his total gas price and he needed to complain about it to anyone who would listen.

Butler, who signed a three-year contract extension worth $146.4 million in 2021, shared a cheeky video filming his reaction when he saw the price that it would take for him to fuel his vehicle.

He isn’t alone, of course. Last year, a survey conducted by Monmouth University suggested that the majority of Americans feel it is difficult to afford gas for their cars.

It’s unclear why the six-time All-Star, however, was so surprised. Butler revealed in the video that he drives a Bugatti — which is one of the most expensive car brands in the world.

WARNING: This video contains language not suitable for work:

“This is highway [expletive] robbery. I’m trying to get some of this gas back. Wow. Do you think if I went in there and told them I put the wrong gas in here they would give me a refund? This is crazy. I’m going electric. Can ya’ll believe it cost $145 to fill up a Bugatti? This is crazy. Unheard of, man. Bugatti’s, man.”

For what it is worth, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is considered to have the worst fuel economy of any car. It could cost around $10.86 to drive 25 miles for an owner of this vehicle.

It is unclear whether or not Butler was actually frustrated by the gas price or just wanted to make a silly video for his followers on Instagram.

Either way, it felt relatable to see his frustration while fueling up a vehicle. We have a feeling, though, that this shouldn’t put too much of a dent in his monthly budget.

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Rajon Rondo explains why Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade Bulls team failed

Rajon Rondo recently talked about his time with the Chicago Bulls playing next to Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade.

For the better part of the past decade, the Chicago Bulls have been relatively disappointing. They made the playoffs in 2022 but only took one game off the Milwaukee Bucks, meaning the current core of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic has just one postseason win in two years.

Before that, and before the rebuild that preceded the current roster, the Bulls had Jimmy Butler. And in their attempt to surround Butler with talent, they created a core three of him, Dwyane Wade, and Rajon Rondo. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to find much success during their time together in Chicago.

During a recent appearance on “The Old Man & The Three with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter,” Rondo spoke about why the Bulls Big 3 failed.

What were your thoughts on the Butler, Wade, Rondo Big 3?

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