Against all odds, Jimmy Butler is all geared up to charge the Miami Heat starting on their Play-In bout against the Atlanta Hawks.
For Butler, it doesn’t matter if people perceive them as an underdog. What is bright and clear for them is that they are ready to pour it all en route to a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference.
“Nope,” Butler responded when asked if he and the Heat are embracing an underdog mentality, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. “It’s all the same. Didn’t nobody pick us to win last year, either. So who cares. Y’all not going to pick us this year, still don’t give a damn.
“In 10 years, y’all still not going to pick us. Still don’t give a damn.”
Miami, the last year’s Eastern Conference Finalist who just came up short in a toe-to-toe Game 7 war against the Boston Celtics, has found themselves at the bottom seed this season. Facing injuries, roster misfit,s and inconsistencies, the club just clawed their way back and maintained its contending status – which will start on Tuesday against the Hawks to determine if they will advance to the playoff arena.
The road might be arduous considering the added task of the Play-In elimination and the opponents waiting within the competitive scene, but Butler can’t care less as his spirit remains ignited.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes for my team to win, night in and night out,” Butler said. “And honestly, I could care less what anybody writes, if I was a good basketball player or a bad basketball player. Coach Pat [Riley] and coach [Erik Spoelstra] didn’t bring me here because of what y’all write, in the most respectful way possible.
“As I take on [Tuesday’s] matchup and we get that dub, we’ll worry about what goes on down the line, but I think I’m going to be a decent basketball player at the end of the day.”
