In the office of Heat president Pat Riley, a photograph resides that captures a crucial moment. It’s an image of Jimmy Butler, visibly exhausted in Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals, catching his breath while leaning on a barrier around the court at Walt Disney World.
Riley chooses to remember those moments.
In his first public statement since Butler was suspended three times this season by Miami and subsequently traded to the Golden State Warriors in February, Riley, during his annual end-of-season press conference, expressed his good wishes towards Butler. In addition, he suggested that the former Heat player also harbors positive wishes for the team.
There’s no question that what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team. There’s no doubt about it. So the responsibility is mine. I take that burden if they want.
Pat Riley
One could say that the relationship between the Heat and Butler began to deteriorate at the previous season’s end-of-season press conference. Butler, injured, was unable to participate in Miami’s first-round loss against Boston. Subsequently, he made a casual comment at a Formula 1 race in South Florida, suggesting that, had he been able to play, the Heat would have beaten the Celtics or the New York Knicks.
Riley didn’t like that comment, and indicated his discontent at the end-of-year event. From then on, the relationship seemed to strain. The Heat didn’t offer Butler a two-year, $113 million contract extension. Butler continued to be suspended and stated that he had lost the joy of playing in Miami, so the team was forced to trade him.
I am not going to apologize for saying no to a contract extension when we didn’t have to. And I don’t think I should.
Pat Riley
If resentments still exist on Miami’s part, Riley didn’t show it on Friday.
It’s over. I wish him the best, good luck, and I hope that deep down in his heart, somewhere, he wishes us the best too.
Pat Riley
The Heat finished in tenth place in the Eastern Conference, qualifying for the playoffs through the play-in tournament as the eighth seed, and were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing the last two games by 37 and 55 points, respectively.
Riley stated that he does not expect the Heat to “repeat” next season with virtually the same roster, implying that the team will seek trades this summer. The Heat has restructured its roster, according to Riley, on no less than 14 occasions in its 29 offseasons in Miami.
I think we need to make changes. There is no doubt that there has to be some change.
Pat Riley
Riley, who turned 80 in March, is finishing his 30 years with the Heat and assured that he has no plans to retire soon.
I just turned 80, and I’m proud of it, and 80 is the new 60. I mean, that’s how I see it. I feel great. I’m competitive as hell.
Pat Riley
He mentioned that he has met with Micky Arison, managing general partner, and Nick Arison, team CEO, who told him to move forward.
There is a sense of urgency, not because of his age, but because the Heat are not looking for a prolonged rebuild to compete for the championship again.
It’s a process. But I’m not going to deal with a long process, nor the property.
Pat Riley
