Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler did not hold back his feelings after eliminating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
As he walked out of the tunnel at Wells Fargo Center in Philly, Butler could be heard saying, “Tobias Harris over me?”
The footage was caught and uploaded to social media shortly after.
Jimmy Butler with a strong message for the 76ers after the Heat beat Philly in the Eastern Conference Finals. “Tobias Harris over me?”
Video from photojournalist David Silver https://t.co/NdIVGYdQts pic.twitter.com/XDONATuHHW
— WPLG Local 10 Sports (@Local10Sports) May 13, 2022
Butler does not regret going to the Miami Heat.
In three seasons, Butler has reached the playoffs with the Heat.
He’s made one appearance in the NBA finals and is currently in the midst of another deep playoff run.
But there exists an alternate world where none of this happened.
Following the 2018-19 NBA season, Butler’s career was at a crucial point.
After spending 55 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Butler was a free agent.
Considering how well the 76ers performed with Butler, he was sure to be re-signed, right?
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
The 76ers opted to go in a different direction, keeping Tobias Harris on a five-year, $180 million deal.
Butler hit the free-agent market and decided to sign with the Heat.
Harris has performed well since signing that deal.
He’s averaging 18.7 points per game and 6.8 rebounds over the past three seasons.
Butler is averaging 20.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game since joining the Heat.
Butler also made two All-Star teams over that period and was named to the All-Defensive team.
However, during his postgame interview, Butler did express the love he still has for Joel Embiid.
In fact, Butler said he still wishes they continued playing together.
Jimmy Butler just said he wishes he was still on Joel Embiid’s team and he loves him. Wow.
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 13, 2022
Embiid expressed the same sentiments in his postgame conference following Thursday’s loss.
"I still don't know how we let him go."
Joel Embiid still in pain over losing Jimmy Butler to the Heat 👀😢 pic.twitter.com/vN51ioWSy0
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 13, 2022
Things have worked out pretty well for Butler since then.
He continues to produce at a high level and sets the tone for how the Heat play.
Following Thursday’s win, the Heat are one series away from a second trip to the finals with Butler.
The 76ers haven’t advanced past the semifinals the past three seasons.