5 Takeaways from Jimmy Butler, Spoelstra, DJJ Interviews

The Miami Heat are slowly making their way into more intense practices this week after taking the day off yesterday to watch film. Here’s some post-practice comments from the Butler, Spoelstra and DJJ Interviews.

Post-Practice Comment #1:

Spoelstra on KZ Okpala: "Defensively he has the potential to be extremely unique, if not special."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 14, 2020

There has been a lot of questions about KZ Okpala after the Heat drafted him in the second round this past year. He’s been going back and forth between Sioux Falls and the Heat roster all season. And it seems too familiar. No matter if it’s an un-drafted guy or a second round pick, the Heat always has a young prodigy flying under the radar. Coach Spoelstra also says “He’s learning how to do things at a more intense level with detail…and I like it.” It seems as if Spoelstra is just as intrigued with him as Heat fans are.

Post-Practice Comment #2:

Jimmy Butler has decided not to put a Social Justice message on his jersey, but he doesn't want his name either.

"I want it to go back to who I was. I am no different than anyone else of color. I want that to be my message."

"This is something we will do more action towards."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 14, 2020

Jimmy Butler starts off the interview with his Social Justice message on his jersey. He chose to not put a message on his jersey, just as LeBron James said he would do a couple days prior. But he also wants to not include his name on the back of his jersey, saying “I am no different than anyone of color. I want that to be my message.” He also says later in the interview that he sees a lot of talking on Social Justice topics, but he wants to see more action. Jimmy is still working on getting the approval to have no name on the back of his jersey.

Post-Practice Comment #3:

Jimmy Butler on TJ Warren: "It's a basketball game to me. I'm pretty sure you can't see the smile that's on my face. They've a very, very good team, but I'm taking the Miami Heat twice."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 14, 2020

The NBA world has been waiting for the match-up of Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren after the altercation early in the season. And it seems as if Jimmy Butler still hasn’t forgotten about it. Jimmy says “I’m pretty sure you can’t see the smile that’s on my face,” when thinking about that TJ Warren match-up. He gives the Indiana Pacers credit by saying they’re a very good team, but closes the topic with “I’m taking the Miami Heat twice.” Which pretty much sums up this whole teams confidence in each other.

Post-Practice Comment #4:

DJJ: "I never want to be on another team. I love it here."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 14, 2020

With Derrick Jones Jr’s contract up after this season, there has been a lot of question marks about his decision. The salary cap may be a little tight with other players including Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder, and Meyers Leonards having their contracts up as well. But though there may be more money thrown at Derrick from other teams. He says, “I never want to be on another team.” He love everything about this team including the style of play, which is defense. Derrick said, “I’m gonna just keep doing exactly what I do. Guard the best player, make his life miserable.” This quote right here proves that the Heat don’t want him on another team as well.

Post-Practice Comment #5:

Jimmy Butler on the bubble:

"This is easy. When you look at what's important, we do get to eat, we do get a roof over our heads. For a lot of people, it could be worse. For a lot of us, it has been worse."

"I'll speak for our team: we're cool with it."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 14, 2020

There has been a lot of complaints and comments inside the bubble over the last week about food, rooms, and more. But this doesn’t include one Heat player. Jimmy sums it up for the rest of the team. “We do get to eat, we do get a roof over our heads. For a lot of people, it could be worse. For a lot of us, it has been worse.” He adds that he is speaking for the team. But some of the others have expressed the same idea over the last few days. This type of answer shows this team is ready. They’re not here for a vacation, it’s a business trip. And like Jimmy said earlier in the interview, “I think you can count on this Miami Heat team.”