Butler was worthy of the hype. Not only because of how he put the Heat on his back on epic postseason runs, establishing himself as one of the league’s prominent figures. But because he delivers the drama along with his dominance. Because he understands moments and how to manufacture spectacle, especially when he feels disrespected.

Some cheered him. Some booed him. Jimmy Butler waved to them all as his return game in Miami was getting underway.

The Heat suspended Butler three times over the span of a month before trading him to the Warriors in early February. Miami acquired Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick from Golden State, and Davion Mitchell from the Toronto Raptors in the deal.