The Heat wouldn’t be in the Finals if it wasn’t for Jimmy Butler, who has been battling an ankle injury since the Semifinals but he won’t let it hold him back.
When Butler was asked about how his ankle is feeling and if he is close to being 100 percent healthy by the media on Wednesday, his response was super candid.
“No, I’m not going to lie,” Butler said. “I’m going to say nobody cares. You don’t either. I’m still expected to do my job at a high level if I take the floor, which I will. We’re going to be okay. We’re going to get the job done, bum ankle or not, and I’m not taking a follow-up, so don’t do that.”
The forward sprained his right ankle in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks and was forced to sit out for Game 2 but he hasn’t missed any minutes since because of it.
The 33-year-old was definitely battling through the pain during the Conference Semifinals against Boston as he could be seen grimacing and looked as though he may have re-aggravated it in Game 7.
Playoffs Jimmy is more motivated than ever to win his maiden NBA championship.
After Miami won the Eastern Conference, he refused to hold the trophy, telling his teammate Bam Adebayo, “I’ll hold the next one.”
Butler explained simply that’s not what he’s playing for when asked about it.
“That’s how I view it,” Butler told Malika Andrews of ESPN. “… I’m very grateful to be able to win the Eastern Conference, but I’ve done that before… I play for Mr. O’Brien… I really only want to win a championship.”
Butler’s efforts earned him the Larry Bird trophy for the ECF MVP, in a series where he averaged 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
But Jimmy’s putting all that behind him and preparing to take on one of the greatest centers the game has ever seen – Nikola Jokic.
Despite being heavy favorites, the Nuggets are not underestimating their opponents.
Game 1 of the Heat-Nuggets series will take place on Thursday, June 1 at Ball Arena in Denver.