The Miami Heat made a bold move in the offseason, pushing a sign-and-trade deal for four-time All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Erik Spoeltra, however, liked the move and has taken note of the 30-year-old's desire to win, comparing Butler to Hall of Fame center and Heat legend Alonzo Mourning.
Per SiriusXM NBA Radio:
“Yeah, I would compare [Jimmy Butler] — we've had so many different players come through our organization, just in my short time with him this summer and in training camp and preseason — he has so many qualities that are Miami qualities, and in particular of Alonzo Mourning.
“He's a different position, different generation, but he's very serious about the game. He's very serious about winning.”
Which @MiamiHEAT legend does Jimmy Butler remind Erik Spoelstra of?
See what he told @TheJaxShow ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ciXV4XPTmy
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 19, 2019
The Heat coach, entering his 12th season at the helm of the South Beach franchise, went on to compliment Butler's high personal standard and professionalism. Spoelstra also detailed how he and Butler are “obsessed” with the process of winning.
Butler, a 6-foot-8 shooting guard and small forward, was originally a first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in 2011. He has gone on to live an inspired NBA career, coming a long way from an ace defender to a two-way threat in the league.
After a six-year career in the Windy City, the Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler only stayed with the T-Wolves for one-plus season before being dealt to the Sixers.
Now, he's in a Heat uniform raising the bar for the level of competition on Spoelstra's squad.
Follow Us
Subscribe