Jimmy Butler’s Response To Potential Ineligibility for NBA Awards Perfectly Defines ‘Heat Culture’

The Heat star weighed in on where NBA award recognition matters in his current goals for the team.

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is in jeopardy of falling short of the games played needed to qualify for any of the All-NBA teams under the league’s new participation mandate.

Butler, who is nursing a MP joint sprain in his right foot, has missed 12 of Miami’s 36 games and will sit out his fifth consecutive contest on Wednesday when the Heat face the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Kaseya Center. 

In speaking to reporters for the first time about his injury on Tuesday, Butler shared a strong statement on if league awards were his main concern. 

“What you think? You think I’m worried about some reward? The only reward I give a damn about is those [championship] banners over there,” Butler said, per the Miami Herald. “That’s all I told Spo [Erik Spoelstra], I told Pat [Riley]. ... I’m going to help us get that.”

Due to the NBA’s new policy, if Butler misses a total of 18 games, he won’t be eligible for All-NBA recognition. That means Butler can only miss five of Miami’s final 46 games.

Butler’s statement echoes the essence of Heat culture in playing in a franchise is known for its mantra on being unselfish, professional and focused on winning NBA titles. The Heat star is currently averaging 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the floor in 24 games this season.

Miami (21-15) has won six of its last 10 games and sit at fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.