Jimmy Butler is taking over social media after Sunday's historical performance. After Miami Heat's crucial 115-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had nothing but praises for his court leader.

Per Spo's post-game presser, it was actually former Heat icon Dwyane Wade who wanted to make sure both him and Heat President Pat Riley knew that Butler was the next man up for Miami.

“Dwyane swore to us. He looked Pat and I dead in the eye and said that this is your guy. This is the next guy.” said Spoesltra on Butler (per Will Manso of the Miami Heat).

Article Continues Below
More Miami Heat News
LeBron James (6) high fives Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3)
Kendrick Perkins blames LeBron James, Dwyane Wade for breaking up Thunder Big 3Julian Ojeda ·
Jared McCain, Philadephia 76ers, Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat, Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks, NBA Finals
Dyson Daniels, Matas Buzelis highlight NBA Finals correspondents for Thunder-PacersTomer Azarly ·
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts in the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.
Heat rumors: Insider shoots down potential major change on Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staffZachary Weinberger ·
Nike Air Bakin, Nike Air Bakin release, Tim Hardaway
Nike Air Bakin OG returning Spring 2026Dominik Zawartko ·
Miami Heat star Davion Mitchell in the center with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro on either side in front of Kaseya Center.
Why Heat must do everything in their power to re-sign Davion MitchellZachary Weinberger ·
DeMar DeRozan photoshopped in Heat jersey.
Heat trade proposal for DeMar DeRozan in offseason amid Kings trade rumorsBailey Bassett ·

Jimmy Butler has been proving all season that he's worth Wade's good word and on Sunday, Butler made sure once again that he would make his good friend proud. Butler's all-around game was in full effect as the 35-year old put up one of the best games of his nine-year career. He ended the night with an impressive triple-double with 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. Butler became just the third person in NBA Finals history to notch a 40-point triple-double.

The first-year Heat star has been Spoelstra's extension on the court and Game 3 was no different. Given that Miami was missing their starting guard in Goran Dragic again, Butler made sure that he would facilitate and his key passes during the crucial stretch of the game were huge for Miami. Butler also provided some much-needed rebounding as the Heat also missed the services of starting center Bam Adebayo for the second straight game.

Jimmy Buckets has been the guy for the Heat and Sunday's showcase just goes to show that he's more than capable of carrying the torch for Miami.