Heat news: Jimmy Butler's unique answer when describing his 'talent'

Miami Heat starting small forward Jimmy Butler became a five-time All-Star by seemingly working harder than everyone else.

Miami Heat small forward Jimmy Butler became a five-time All-Star by seemingly working harder than everyone else.

After all, Butler isn't the fastest guy out there or a great shooter. He just plays and trains harder than most players and that's exactly why he fits with the Heat so well:

“I’m not a god-given talent,” Butler told Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated. “I ain’t the best shooter. I’m not the best ballhandler. Not the most athletic. Not the fastest. But I battle. I fight. I’m tough as s— and I don’t back down. There goes my talent for you. I ain’t scared of nobody. Can’t scare me.”

The Chicago Bulls took a chance on Butler in the 2011 draft with the 30th pick and watched the Texas native grow from a defensive specialist into one of the best two-way players in the league in a short amount of time. The 2014-15 season was Butler’s breakout year. The 6-foot-7 swingman averaged 20.0 points per game and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

Since then, Butler has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and now Heat. He seems to have finally found a home in Miami with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra.

Butler is averaging 20.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game on the season for the Heat. He’s shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 24.6 percent from beyond the arc and 83.8 percent from the free-throw line.

The Heat are 36-22 on the season. They will make the playoffs after missing it in 2018-19, thanks in large part to Butler's stellar play on both ends of the court.