The <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-heat-and-jazz-could-trade-tyler-herro-and-donovan-mitchell-1235-20220602-SPD-1235.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a> were one of the biggest surprises of the 2021-22 NBA season. After getting swept by eventual champions Milwaukee Bucks last year, Erik Spoelstra‘s men bounced back to prove they can be contenders.



Even in an injury-marred season, the Heat managed to maintain themselves in the top spots of the Eastern Conference standings, ultimately clinching the first seed. And they kept their hot run going in the postseason.



Miami looked ready to return to the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-stephen-curry-wins-first-finals-mvp-award-in-career-1586-20220617-SPD-1586.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA Finals</a> after two years, but the Boston Celtics had the upper hand in the Conference Finals. It’s been weeks since then, the Warriors have already won the title, but Heat star <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/jimmy-butler-doesnt-care-about-the-stats-blames-himself-for-heats-loss-to-celtics-1141-20220530-SPD-1141.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Butler</a> still can’t get over that defeat.



<h2>Jimmy Butler still in pain after Heat’s playoff loss to Celtics</h2>



“Man, honestly, I’m not ready to talk about basketball yet,” Butler told Front Office Sports, via Heat Nation. “I’m still in my feelings, so I don’t really get into it. I can’t. You’re opening up a door of emotions. I just want to talk about coffee and ice cream, my brother.”



Butler was the Heat’s most impactful player in the playoffs, but things ended in heartbreaking fashion for him as his failed attempt for a three-pointer sealed his team’s defeat in Game 7. It will probably take some time, but hopefully, Butler will get over it to come back stronger next year.

Jimmy Butler isn't ready to talk about Miami Heat's playoff elimination - thesportsdrops NEWS

Jimmy Butler isn't ready to talk about Miami Heat's playoff elimination

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The <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-playoffs-format-how-does-the-nba-postseason-work-126-20220502-SPD-126.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> have been swept once and knocked out twice in the postseason series since <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/2022-nba-playoffs-jimmy-butler-still-believes-in-heat-despite-sixers-wins-591-20220509-SPD-591.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Butler</a> joined the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/not-even-lebron-james-could-do-it-jonathan-kuminga-becomes-nbas-youngest-player-ever-to-start-in-playoffs-559-20220508-SPD-559.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a> three years ago.



The Heat have made it to their second Eastern Conference finals appearance in three years after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers. On the other hand, the 2020 NBA Finals saw them make it to the finals.



Butler left the Sixers for greater and better things, yet the team has stayed stagnant, even after many roster changes.



<h2>Joel Embiid confused why Sixers let Jimmy Butler go</h2>



To make matters worse, Butler’s heroics in the game must have felt like icing on the cake for the Sixers. Because of his outstanding performance, <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/2021-22-nba-mvp-award-nikola-jokic-edges-out-giannis-antetokounmpo-and-joel-embiid-736-20220513-SPD-736.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joel Embiid</a> expressed his regret at not having Butler as a teammate after the Heat won the series-clinching game on Thursday evening.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I’m happy for him. I won’t sit here and say I didn’t wish he was my teammate. I still don’t know how we let him go. But I wish I could have gone to battle with him still. But it is what it is. Just got to keep building and keep trying to reach that goal.Obviously, that’s my guy, that’s my brother. I mean, it’s tough. But I’m so proud of him. He’s playing at an unreal level right now. He’s something else right now. And I’m proud of him for being at this level and carrying them and what he’s been able to do.”<cite>Embiid said of Butler after the game</cite></blockquote>

NBA News: 76ers' Joel Embiid perplexed as to why they let Jimmy Butler leave after defeat to Heat - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: 76ers' Joel Embiid perplexed as to why they let Jimmy Butler leave after defeat to Heat

The <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-playoffs-format-how-does-the-nba-postseason-work-126-20220502-SPD-126.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eastern Conference</a> semifinals between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers have taken a huge twist after <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/not-even-lebron-james-could-do-it-jonathan-kuminga-becomes-nbas-youngest-player-ever-to-start-in-playoffs-559-20220508-SPD-559.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Game 3 and 4</a>. Erik Spoelstra‘s men won the first two games at home, but the Sixers bounced back in Philly.



What happened in between? Well, to begin with, Joel Embiid‘s return has certainly lifted Doc Rivers‘ men. On top of that, James Harden has also stepped up his game to help his team make things even.



However, the Heat also need to look at themselves as they weren’t the same team that started this series with two statement wins. Jimmy Butler knows that, but he’s convinced that his team should follow the path that took them <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-minnesota-timberwolves-will-aim-to-get-rid-of-dangelo-russell-following-disappointing-post-season-performance-546-20220507-SPD-546.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<h2>Jimmy Butler confident that Heat will get back on track</h2>



“Every shot that we shoot we think it’s going in,” Butler said postgame, via HoopsHype. “We’re gonna take the same shots next game, and they’re gonna fall because that’s the way we’ve been playing all year long. We’re not scared of missing shots.”



Even though they failed to put the series away earlier, there’s still a lot to be played for and Miami can still get back on track. There’s a reason why they finished first in the East, so maybe they just need to believe in the game plan instead of entering panick mode.

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler isn't ready to talk about Miami Heat's playoff elimination

NBA News: 76ers' Joel Embiid perplexed as to why they let Jimmy Butler leave after defeat to Heat

2022 NBA Playoffs: Jimmy Butler still believes in Heat despite Sixers' wins

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