Heat's Butler has nothing but love for ex-teammate Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has said that he has fond memories of the time he spent alongside Jimmy Butler. On Friday, that feeling was reciprocated by the Miami Heat's new marquee player.
"One of the kids in the locker room asked if I (mess) with Jo. And I told him, 'Yeah, that's my dog, for real,'" Butler told reporters, including Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "And we do talk all the time. And even whenever I was traded (to Miami), I told him, 'Continue to dominate. Continue to prove why you're the best player in this effing league.'
"And I believe that. He's tough. I have a lot of respect for him. And I hear he's in shape and I'm excited to compete against him."
Butler was acquired by the Sixers from the Minnesota Timberwolves less than a month into the 2018-19 season. The 6-foot-8 small forward quickly developed into one of Philadelphia's go-to players down the stretch.
Butler averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 boards, four assists, and 1.8 steals per contest across 55 regular-season appearances with the Sixers as they grabbed the Eastern Conference's third seed. He elevated his play during the postseason and nearly helped the club reach its first conference finals since 2001.
The 30-year-old signed a four-year, $142-million maximum contract with Miami this summer in a sign-and-trade deal with Philadelphia.