Butler and I need each other: Heat coach Spoelstra

Entering their sixth year together in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra believes that a breakthrough in his relationship with Jimmy Butler is imminent.

That thesis is based almost entirely on longevity and mutual need.

“When you get to that many years together, there’s a lot of unspoken understanding,” Spoelstra said at Miami’s media day earlier in the week.

“He’s at a point now where he needs me to really coach this team at a high level. He needs me to coach him at a high level and push him to higher levels. And I need him to be at his highest level as a player and a leader.”

Butler, who turned 35 on Sept 14, averaged 20.8 points – his lowest scoring output since his first season in Miami in 2019-20 – 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 2023-24.