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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

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Ray Ratto

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of the NBA play-in tournament game at Chase Center on April 15, 2025.

Memphis Grizzlies v Golden State Warriors – Play-In Tournament

The Warriors Really Had To Work For It

and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after Butler scored and was fouled on the shot against the Dallas Mavericks on February 23, 2025.

Dallas Mavericks v Golden State Warriors

The Warriors Might Be Onto Something

of the Miami Heat looks down during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center on January 2, 2025.

Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat

The Warriors And Jimmy Butler Are Trying To Stop The Clock

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Tom Ley

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Kaseya Center on January 01, 2025 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.

New Orleans Pelicans v Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler Suspended Again, If You Even Care

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Patrick Redford

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 12: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Kaseya Center on December 12, 2024 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat

The Jimmy Butler Fiasco Is Getting Ugly

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jovic #5 and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat walk to the bench during the third quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics – Game Five

Thank God That’s Over

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

2023 NBA Finals – Miami Heat v Denver Nuggets

The Heat’s Fire Turned Back To Embers

DENVER, CO - JUNE 4: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets on June 4, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Miami Punches Back

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

Nikola Jokic defends against Bam Adebayo.

The Heat Forgot Which Direction The Rim Is In

Jayson Tatum blocks the shot of Bam Adebayo.

It’s Fine That The Celtics Are Kicking The Heat’s Butts Off. I’m Not Worried. It’s Fine!

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David Roth

Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics holds the ball while Jimmy Butler makes a Jimmy Butler Face in an Eastern Conference Finals game..

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat – Game Four

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Sacred Oafs, Holy Madmen, Culture Wars, Things Of That Nature

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<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Round 3 Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jimmy Butler pointing

Jimmy Butler Is A Good College Player In Reverse

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics – Game Two

The Celtics Are Gifting The Heat This Series

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Miami Heat v Boston Celtics

Nobody Pounces Like The Heat

Max Strus #31 of the Miami Heat grabs the rebound during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks on May 8, 2023 at Kaseya Center in Miami,

2023 NBA Playoffs – New York Knicks v Miami Heat

The Heat Sapped New York’s Will To Live One Rebound At A Time

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Milwaukee Bucks v Miami Heat – Game Four

Playoff Jimmy Has No Equal

Jimmy Butler Goes With The Flow

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California.

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The Heat Are Only 73 Wins Away From Meeting Jimmy Butler’s Standard

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida.

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat – Game One

The Third Quarter Belonged To The Miami Heat’s Defense

Jimmy Butler #22 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat high five against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX Arena on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida.

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat – Game Two

How Bad Can A Series Truly Be When It Has Victor Oladipo?

Miami Heat Bench Scuffle

The Miami Heat Are Now Fighting Themselves

Kyle Lowry #7, Jimmy Butler #22, Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat look on against the Milwaukee Bucks at FTX Arena on October 21, 2021 in Miami, Florida.

Milwaukee Bucks v Miami Heat

The Heat’s Retooled Roster Is Doing Everything Right

Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring in overtime against Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Miami Heat v Milwaukee Bucks – Game One

Ugly Playoff Basketball Games Are Uniquely Thrilling

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat and the Miami Heat bench react during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals

2020 NBA Finals – Game Six

The Miami Heat Now Have Actual Expectations

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2020 NBA Finals

Jimmy Butler