Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat were dismantled by the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. The Heat will have one more chance to earn a playoff spot as they await the winner of Chicago and Toronto. Heat fans didn't expect this team to be a play-in caliber team at the beginning of the season. The Heat have made the Eastern Conference Finals two times in the last three seasons. Now it looks like the team will need a miracle to make it three out of four. As a result, SiriusXM NBA Radio host Justin Termine had a lot to say about the Heat. Including that, a lot of the blame for this season's failure should be on Jimmy Butler.
"Who else is sick of Jimmy Butler talking nonstop?" That was the question Termine asked listeners at the top of his show. Termine is tired of Butler saying the Heat are good and then laying an egg. However, Termine didn't place the sole blame on Butler. According to Termine, Bam Adebayo should shoulder some blame as well. The Heat stars didn't come with that fighting mentality on Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the team, they only have one more shot to get this right.
Termine Expects Better From Jimmy Butler
Heat fans are seemingly frustrated. But that doesn't negate the season that Butler has had. The Miami star averaged 22 points per game this regular season. The number far exceeds his career average, which sits at 18. The Heat's failures can't entirely be on Butler's shoulders. However, when you are the star of the team, you're destined to take a lot of the blame. So, how can the Heat fix this before the final play-in tournament game? Certainly, this team has the talent to win it all. As can be seen with their recent success. However, something is causing the ship to sink.
The obvious answer is to get better performances from Bam and Butler. But that is easier said then done. The team will have to play with a sense of urgency. Something that didn't seem to exist in their game on Tuesday. The Atlanta Hawks got out to an early lead and basically never let out. Does the Heat have what it takes to earn the eighth and final playoff spot? If they don't, where does the franchise go this off-season? Let us know your thoughts on the Heat in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.
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