Heat coach Spoelstra insists no drama in Butler return; Butler issues statement: 'I'm back'

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Jan 17, 2025

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MIAMI — Ahead of Friday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center, Erik Spoelstra offered an opening comment about the return of forward Jimmy Butler from his seven-game team unpaid suspension.

That also included acknowledging that Butler would be returning to the team’s starting lineup.

“Look, we work in a league of complexity,” Spoelstra began. “We’re in an unusual place right now, but really all it is is complex, and we fully plan on operating within this complexity. So it’s my job to prepare this team, get them ready to play at a high level, and that’s what I’m doing. That’s what the plan is.

“My methods for doing it are really none of your business. You all are looking for drama. I’m looking forward to getting this team ready to play at a high level.

“And I’ll give even our starting lineup. The starting lineup — I’m checking a lot of boxes so you don’t have to ask me questions after this. The starting lineup will be the same lineup that we had the last time you saw us in this building.”

That is the lineup of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson.

Spoelstra continued, “And then in terms of silly questions about like what’s the temperature of the room or how everybody’s feeling. That just sounds so dramatic. We’re professionals. We’re fine. We’re ready for tonight’s game. That’s the only thing that matters.

“So, that’s basically it. We’re looking forward to getting back on the wood. We’ve been on the road for a while. And we’re complete, so we’re ready to get this thing tipped off.”

Spoelstra then reiterated he only would take questions about the game.

From there, he was asked if his team could be grounded in the moment.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “If I didn’t believe that I wouldn’t be here right now, or in this position that I’m in.”

Earlier, ahead of Spoelstra addressing the media, the following was issued on social media on the letterhead of Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee:

“The following statement was released today by Jimmy Butler, through his agent, Bernie O. Lee, President of Thread Sports Management L.L.C. (“Thread”) located in Miami FL, in response to questions about his future career plans: ‘I’m back.' "