After the team’s first 20 games of the season, the Miami Heat star gave a sober assessment of the group instead of his typical bold predictions.
Jimmy Butler typically uses a loss as an opportunity to show off his confidence and boldly declare himself the winner, but on Saturday night he chose to refer to the Miami Heat as “mediocre.”
Butler stated, “We stand right where we don’t want to be, which is very mediocre, not good, not bad, not great, not any of those things,” following the Heat’s 144-129 defeat at Kaseya Center due to an overmatched defense.
“You talk about our offense has been mediocre. You talk about our defense has been mediocre,” he continued. “That’s the word I would use.”
The Heat’s past five games have seen them go 1-4. The Heat are 11-9, just two games over.500, after their first 20 games. Injuries have contributed to their recent struggles; Bam Adebayo (left hip contusion) and Butler (ankle sprain) have missed two games apiece during this run.
Beyond the record, Butler’s claim is supported by the numbers. With regard to offensive rating, the Heat are ranked 11th, defensive rating is 16th, and net rating is 14th. Miami’s season point differential of plus-1.1 is worse than that of seven Eastern Conference teams.
“I think we’re all right,” Josh Richardson said. “Could be better. Could be worse, too, with how much we’ve been on the road, how many injuries we’ve had.”
In fact, the Heat have traveled for 12 of their first 20 games. In those contests, they have a 6-6 record. There will be relief in December. The Heat have the fifth-simplest schedule in the East for the month of May, with eight of their next 13 games being played at home.
Adebayo’s hip injury is still a problem, but Tyler Herro, who hasn’t played since November 8 due to an ankle sprain, should make a quick recovery. Butler’s problematic ankle is also in good shape.
The Heat, who began the season 1-4, have won seven straight games, so they are aware of their potential. Is there going to be another winning run? The Heat host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, December 8, play the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday, December 6, and then travel to Charlotte for four games against the Charlotte Hornets (playing at home on Monday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 13) and Chicago Bulls (playing at home on December 14 and December 16).
“If we could get everyone back, we could put another streak together,” Richardson said. “We won however many in a row at some point [seven]. That speaks for something. Once we get more continuity and get everyone rolling, it will be good.”