Erik Spoelstra believes the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler “speak the same language.”
Butler is one of the fiercest competitors in the game, something the Heat as a franchise really value.
Spoelstra says he and president Pat Riley have always respected Butler from afar and are so excited to have the four-time All-Star in South Beach.
Article Continues Below“We always respected him as a competitor when he was on other teams,” Spoelstra told Shandel Richardson of The Athletic. “At the end of the day, we feel like we speak the same language. He’s here for a reason and that’s to help us, with a new team, get to a higher level. And we feel that we’re here for him, to help him get to a higher level.
“The common thought from both sides was this is the kind of alignment that we’re looking for. It was the fit that matters to us. That’s the only thing that counts. I’ve been around long enough that when I say that, this league is about the right fit, the right timing, the right place for both player and organization.”
Jimmy Butler signed a four-year, $140.8 million contract with the Heat in July as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The swingman played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sixers last season.
Butler was reportedly blown away by all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Dwyane Wade’s last home game with the Heat in 2018-19. He told friends after the game that being able to see what Miami and the organization are about left an enormous impact on him.