Miami Heat president Pat Riley was not amused by star wing Jimmy Butler's take that the Heat could've beaten the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs had Butler not been out with a knee injury.
What actually happened was that the Celtics blasted the Heat in five games, the final three of which were routs. For the record, Butler also mentioned the New York Knicks when it came to teams he believes Miami could beat.
"For him to say that, I thought, is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy [being] serious?" Riley asked at a press conference.
"If you're not on the court, playing against Boston, or you're not on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams."
Butler made the comments over the weekend, after both the Celtics and Knicks had advanced to the second round.
"If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would be f-king at home. Josh Hart? C'mon man," he said in a social media video.
Jimmy Butler:
?If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would be at home. Josh Hart? C?mon man.? ?
pic.twitter.com/8Po2qOZq71— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) May 4, 2024
Despite rumors and Riley's reaction to Butler's comments, Riley strongly suggested he has no intention of trading Butler this offseason. But Riley did add that "there's a possibility that a lot of things are on the table."
Riley is more than just the Heat team president. He's one of the most respected executives in the NBA, a guy who a lot of players want to play for. And his honest talk — while sometimes coming across as harsh — is actually fairly appreciated by those who play the game.
"If he requests [an extension[ we can either accept or we can say 'we're gonna think about it," Riley said.
"That's a big decision on our part, to commit those kinds of resources, unless you're somebody who's going to be there every time."
The Heat are coming off an appearance in the Finals, losing to the Denver Nuggets in six games. Miami made it as a No. 8 seed, upsetting the Knicks and Celtics along the way.
But no such luck this year.
?There?s no pressure. The last extension, we gave it to him.?
?If he requests we can either accept or we can say ?we?re gonna think about it.?
?That?s a big decision on our part, to commit those kinds of resources, unless you?re somebody whose going to be there every time? pic.twitter.com/6bnL9cqwhM
— alex toledo (@tropicalblanket) May 6, 2024
