A year ago, the Miami Heat were a fringe playoff team in the Eastern Conference and ultimately missed the postseason altogether. Now, the Heat are in fourth place at the All-Star break at 35-19.
Quite a bit has changed in South Beach since last season.
Rookies such as Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro have been terrific. Bam Adebayo has broken out as the full-time starting center. Duncan Robinson has developed into a long-range sniper.
But the biggest difference in Miami has unquestionably been the addition of Jimmy Butler. And Adebayo noted on Saturday how significant Butler's presence has been:
“It started way back in the summer,” Adebayo said of his relationship with Butler, per Shane Young of Forbes Sports. “Jimmy is someone that wants to hold everyone to a higher standard, and so does our organization.”
Both Butler and Adebayo will be representing the Heat in the All-Star game on Sunday.
In 46 games this season, Butler is averaging 20.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.8 steals over 34.4 minutes per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the floor, 24.8 percent from three-point range and 83.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Miami acquired Butler in a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers over the summer.
Since entering the NBA in 2011, Butler has played for four different teams, with the other two being the Chicago Bulls (where he spent the first six seasons of his career) and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 30-year-old owns career averages of 17 points, 5.1 boards, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals across 33.1 minutes a night and has earned five All-Star selections thus far.
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