After losing three games in a row to the Celtics, the Heat did the previously unthinkable on Monday night as they became just the second No. 8 seed ever to earn a trip to the NBA Finals.
And despite a commanding 103-84 road win that gave Miami the Eastern Conference crown, Jimmy Butler was evidently in no mood to celebrate, refusing to take the trophy from teammate Bam Adebayo during the postgame coronation.
Butler even appeared to offer a prediction for the next series in the moment, telling the center that he’d ‘hold the next one.’
And fans were quick to commend the ever-focused Butler for his demeanor after the Game 7 win, as the 33-year-old seeks his first championship.
‘That’s a champion right there. EC title isn’t good enough!,’ one Twitter user said.
Jimmy Butler refused to hold the Eastern Conference Trophy after the 103-84 win
Butler scored 28 points in Game 7 as the Heat moved onto the NBA Finals on Monda
‘The mindset, tough,’ another added.
‘That’s the kind of leader that makes undrafted players play like stars,’ a third said.
‘His play is amazing but it’s his leadership that is underrated. Playing with someone like this makes you give more than your best and that’s what the Heat are doing.
Indeed, four undrafted players have been a significant part of Miami’s rotation this postseason, with Caleb Martin’s play against the Celtics nearly giving him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP over his teammate Butler.
The forward averaged 19.3 points per game on 60 percent shooting from the field in the series, while Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent helped buoy the team as well.
Nonetheless, while Miami’s togetherness and team culture have gotten it this far, some think the Nuggets will be too strong to overcome in the Finals.
Denver is undefeated at home this postseason and have largely been untested as just one of their three series has gone past five games.
Butler did hold his Eastern Conference Finals MVP award after the Heat won in Game 7
‘That’s the only trophy [Butler] gets to hold this year sadly,’ one fan said in response to the clip.
‘There is no next one for him,’ another added along with laughing-crying emojis.
The Heat will certainly have their hands full trying to deal with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, though it’d be silly to count Miami out already based on what we’ve seen this postseason.
The Finals tip off off on Thursday with Denver hosting Game 1.
