LeBron James and Jimmy Butler appeared to have several choice words for one another before being preemptively separated at the conclusion of the first quarter in game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Bron and Jimmy đź—Ł (via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/BDK3r7hdFn
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 5, 2020
While the series thus far has largely been devoid of any confrontations between the teams, it is not surprising to see tensions rising as the Heat attempt to crawl out of the two-game hole in which they find themselves. Long known for the intensity with which he plays, Jimmy Butler has rankled other players and coaches in the past, most famously sparring with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota over their unwillingness to match his focus. Though it was rumored a similar incident with Brett Brown in Philadelphia played a part in his departure to South Beach, Butlers' uncompromising desire to win has largely found a home in Miami, with an organization renowned for carrying a similar ethos.
It was because of their reputations for such competitive play, that many observers were surprised by the Heat's performance in the opening games of the Finals, with Miami often dying on rotations, and failing to sprint back in transition. Already hindered thanks to the injuries sustained by Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo, Butler and the Heat performed lackadaisically for most of game 2, until an impassioned plea by long-time player Udonis Haslem seemed to light a spark. Though he claimed the speech should have unnecessary given the stakes, Butler did admit that Haslem's words did have an impact, joking that the veteran should take to “cussing them out at the beginning of the game”.
Despite it not being clear if Miami can succeed against the talented Lakers, Butler's dustup with James does at least show that the passion is there, Sunday night.
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