Hoops Habit
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Hoops Habit’s favorite moments and stories from the 2022-23 NBA season

By Leocciano Callao

Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) hugs agent Rich Paul after breaking the all-time scoring record in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) hugs agent Rich Paul after breaking the all-time scoring record in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 07: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals at Kaseya Center on June 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 07: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals at Kaseya Center on June 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Richard Nurse: Butler’s antics made them fun to watch.

Masterful and historic are some of the words that have been used to describe Jimmy Butler’s 2023 playoff run through the Eastern Conference. Yet, the most accurate one of them all may be alluring. It was not just his scoring either. What drew audiences in was Butler’s self-confident actions intertwined with the dismissive words the NBA’s microphones would capture.

Whether it was his own teammates, coaches or the opposition, Butler has always been known to be an All-Star irritant. However, this postseason it was showcased on a different level. What started as the comical taunting of New York’s Julius Randle, in a late season game, turned into harsh words for Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday and two games of on-court disrespect for Boston’s Grant Williams.

What made it more intriguing was that Butler’s talk and demonstrative moves seemed to fuel his offense. So much so that viewers saw him put up Michael Jordan playoff numbers for the Miami Heat. And not the fabricated kind.

At one point, Butler joined Jordan as the only players with multiple road playoff games of 30 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. They were also the only players in NBA history to record 30-points per game, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and 50 percent shooting averages in a single postseason, before Butler’s eventual dip.

The sporting world always knew the Heat played hard, but Butler’s production and antics made them fun to watch. It also made him a lovable antagonist—unless you were the opposition.