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The Miami Heat are one win away from returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since LeBron James took his talents back to Ohio.
The renegade Eastern Conference darlings are led by Jimmy Butler, who after brief stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers is in a position to contend for a title.
Butler’s hard-nosed, lead-by-example style has garnered both positive and negative attention since his departure from the Bulls. On Thursday night, Draymond Green and CJ McCollum made it a point to highlight the positive aspects of Butler’s approach to leadership.
They said he was a bad teammate because he wanted to win. Smh... He found a group that want to win just a bad. He actually made that group want to win as bad as him. Found some Indians that just needed a chief. It’s fun to watch. https://t.co/smoV4xswPS
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) September 25, 2020
McCollum followed up Draymond’s response with a comparison to Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard.
I love it! Everyone doesn’t respond the same when they’re challenged by a teammate! We have no problem challenging guys. The key is to back it up w/ work & allow people to challenge you too. Jimmy does both and he empowers his teammates & lets them flourish. Same thing D does https://t.co/K86IaHdpxP
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) September 25, 2020
In the response, McCollum likened Butler’s work ethic and mentorship of young talent to his backcourt mate.
“The key is to back up with work and allow people to challenge you too.”
“Jimmy does both and he empowers his teammates and lets them flourish. Same thing D [Lillard] does.”
Butler has recorded averages of 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6 assists in his first season in Miami. The Heat will look to close out the Celtics in Game 5 tomorrow night.