Sep 22, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley address reporters during a press conference at AmericanAirlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat president Pat Riley let Jimmy Butler have it over a recent viral video.
At his year-end press conference Monday, Riley was asked about a recent video in which Butler said the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks both would have lost to Miami had Butler been healthy enough to play. Riley made it clear that he was absolutely not a fan, and even went as far as to say that Butler should have kept his mouth shut.
Pat Riley on Jimmy Butler: “If you're not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut.” pic.twitter.com/BorsYtOu8J
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 6, 2024
“For him to say that, I thought, ‘Is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious?'” Riley said. “If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut.”
Riley clearly believes there is not much good that could come from Butler’s comments. They come off as disrespectful to the teams Butler is talking about. Riley also might not like the idea of Butler saying he would have been the difference in the Boston series considering his teammates lost in five games with Butler sidelined due to an injury.
Recent reports have suggested that Butler’s individualism has rubbed some in the Heat organization the wrong way. Perhaps this is an example of that. Whether that jeopardizes a possible contract extension remains to be seen, but Riley is sending a clear message here.
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