MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler wants this made clear: He is not in Miami to be the next Dwyane Wade.
He wanted to be in Miami to honor his retired friend’s legacy — and pick up where Wade left off.
Wade’s “one last dance” is over, his retirement has come after 16 seasons and now Butler has arrived to become the Heat’s go-to guy in winning time. Adding Butler on a four-year contract was the centerpiece of the Heat’s offseason, and even in a year of transition — learning to play without Wade, again — Miami believes a return to the playoffs is well within reach.