MIAMI — Jimmy Butler is the leader and top player of the Miami Heat, and also appears to be the team’s resident soccer pundit.
Despite a loss in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, there was still good news for Butler, cause, if not joy, then at least to smile and be grateful.
Lionel Messi is coming to town.
“A lot of good things,” said Butler on Thursday when asked what Messi’s move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami means. “Obviously he is one of the greatest players to have played this beautiful game. I’m so happy for the city of Miami to have a player of this caliber here.
“Now that he’s here, I think all football fans from all over the world will come here and have the opportunity to watch him compete. I’m glad he’s here.”
This is a special time in Miami sports. The Heat are in their seventh NBA Finals and despite trailing the Denver Nuggets 2-1 in that series, Game 4 is Friday in Miami and Butler said, “I expect a win.”
The Florida Panthers are in the Stanley Cup Finals and despite trailing 2-0 to the Las Vegas Knights, Game 3 of the series will be held in nearby Sunrise, Florida on Thursday.
Then there’s 35-year-old Argentinian Messi, considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, who chose to continue his career in the United States in Miami.
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Butler, 33, who is playing for the Heat in his second final, said he has met Messi before.
“Will I approach (Messi)? Probably not,” Butler said. “I know he’s probably got a lot going on anyway. He comes here to do something special for this city. I will not report. But I’m glad he’s here. I’m really.
“I know we’ll be connecting whenever he’s here.”
As is often the case when a pro team in one city – let alone two – achieves a championship contest, the players and coaches of every team in the city gravitate towards one another.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed he texted Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who has been a mainstay in Miami’s playoff games.
“It was fun to develop a relationship with him,” Spoelstra said. “We were lucky enough to be able to spend a whole afternoon at the training camp and see how they work. In the afternoon we just talked shop. That’s fun.
“We share very similar thoughts on how to find strength in adversity and use that as a lesson to move forward.”
What would be even more fun for the South Floridians — if the Heat tied the finals 2-2 before the series returns to Denver for Game Five on Monday.
“I’m excited about the city of Miami in a lot of ways,” said Butler. “Of course we are in the final and have the opportunity to do something special.”
(Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)