Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler had words for encouragement for point guard Goran Dragic after the veteran suffered a plantar fascia tear in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Butler lamented the fact Dragic will not be able to take the floor, possibly for the remainder of the series. But he also noted Dragic's injury creates a sense of obligation for Miami to go out and compete for its point guard:
“It’s just tough to see him in this position because he cares about the game, his teammates, and he really wants to win,” Butler said, via Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints. “I can talk to him as much as I can, but you can hear that pain in his voice of him feeling like he may have let us down, but he did not. I want him to know that. He’s carried us to this point, and it’s only our duty to pay that back to him right now.”
Dragic has been listed as doubtful ahead of Game 2 on Friday, as has All-Star big man Bam Adebayo.
The Heat already have their backs against the wall without their leading scorer (Dragic) in the playoffs, as well as their leading rebounder (Bam). It will take a Herculean effort from Butler and Co. to slow down Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the rest of a motivated Lakers team.
Butler has never been one to shy away from a challenge, and he will have to get the very best out of his teammates in an attempt to level the series and give Miami a fighting chance.
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