After LeBron James left, the South Coast Heat seemed to be extinguished, and they worked hard to be active in the free market over the years, but only year after year of folding playoffs. Until they chose Butler as the team leader, the team returned to the stage of the Finals, but finally fell at the feet of James. The following season, the Heat were swept out by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs, and Butler seemed to have lost the magic of the previous season.
Riley was determined to find the best partner for Butler, and after some deliberation, they chose The Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry, although a 36-year veteran, Riley did not hesitate to give a three-year, $90 million contract. At this moment, the saddest thing should be Dwayne Wade.
Lowry's arrival is crucial for the Miami Heat. Butler averaged 7 assists per game last season, and he was a selfless player, but never a passing master. When you expect Butler to comb through the team's offense, then at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, Butler's energy will drop. So Riley will stop at nothing to get the 36-year-old Lowry, an offensive end that has no former threat, but the organization of the pass is still the top point guard in the East. Although this season has only passed 3 games, Lowry has already shown his value.
The Game Against the Orlando Magic, the Heat won effortlessly 107-90, after all, the opponent was a team in a state of flux. Lowry, 36, in this game, shot 4 of 11 from the field, 1 of 6 from three-point range, and had 9 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal. Seeing this, many people feel that the annual salary of 30 million yuan, Lowry's performance is seriously inconsistent. But don't ignore it, Lowry's plus-minus of +12 is second in the team, second only to Hiro on the bench, and with Lowry's presence, Butler's performance is even better.
Jimmy Butler, who focuses on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, appeared less than 33 minutes, shooting 15-of-21, not a single three-point shot, 6-of-6 from the free throw line, 36 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals, with only 1 turnover and 2 fouls. When Butler played such offensive and defensive performances, all you can say is that this Heat are strong contenders for the championship.
Of course, one game is not enough to say anything, as a comparison, the previous game against the Pacers, Lowry was absent, Butler only had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals on 7-of-22 shooting, as well as 4 turnovers and 4 fouls, the Heat lost to the Pacers 91-102. In the previous game, against the Milwaukee Bucks, Lowry was on the floor, butler had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists on 6-of-10 shooting, or only 1 turnover, and the Heat beat the Bucks by 42 points.
Although it is only three games, the volume is a little small, but from these three games, it can be clearly seen that the Heat do not have Lowry, that is, two completely different teams. Of course, there is also Jimmy Butler, whose offensive efficiency is not at all at the same level in both lowry's appearance and non-appearance.
Lowry's arrival liberated Butler's pressure on the organizational end, tucker's arrival allowed Butler to reduce his physical strength on the defensive end, and these two signings can be said to be a perfect fit for the Miami Heat. If the 2020 Heat on the stage of the Finals is called a dark horse, then this season, if the Heat are on the stage of the Finals again, then they are not dark horses, but they do have such capabilities.