The Miami Heat reached the NBA finals last season and hence a lot of people expected them to do well once again this season. Nobody expected them to get out in the first round of the playoffs let alone get swept aside by the Milwaukee Bucks.
A lot of people had high hopes from this Heat side and especially in Jimmy Butler’s leadership, they were expected to perform a lot better. NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith was furious with the kind of performances from Butler.
Ironically the Heat were the reason for Milwaukee’s early exit last season and now the Bucks have paid back that favour this year. The Heat fans are obviously disappointed with the outcome and the way how they lost four games straight to get knocked out. Different people have different kinds of opinions on the matter. Hence Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith also gave their opinions on it.
The duo were questioned on ESPN’s First Take whether they were impressed by Giannis Antetokounmpo or disappointed by Jimmy Butler’s performance. While Kellerman was focused more on the Greek Freak, Stephen A. Smith chose the latter.
“I am more disappointed in Jimmy Butler,” said Smith without mincing his words. “You got some tree’s up in there with Giannis and Lopez. And the fact that they had Jrue Holiday and P. J. Tucker, obviously it buffers your defense, incredibly so. And we understand that the Milwaukee Bucks are legit and this team is to be reckoned with.”
Smith went on bashing Butler as he felt that there was no excuse for him to perform the way he did. “Jimmy Butler averaged 14.5 points on worse than 30% shooting. You signed a max deal, 4 years of $141 million. Did you know he was eligible for an extension? 4 years, $181 million, guaranteed $36 million next year.”
“You do understand that approaching age 33, You do understand that it’s around the time Miami Heat Dwyane Wade waivers. I love me some Jimmy Butler,” Smith added.
“But let me be clear, Jimmy Butler is no Dwyane Wade. Not what Dwyane Wade was to the Miami Heat. If they can do something like that to Dwyane Wade, where they have trepidation and apprehension. What the hell do you think they’re thinking about Jimmy Butler now? We can be swept by anybody and not give up this much money,” the NBA analyst concluded by questioning Butler’s max contract.
It is indeed alarming signs for the Heat as Butler was simply not upto the mark and a defeat like this will call for changes for sure.
