South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Butler finally back in the mix
Veteran returns after 10 games away; Dragic, Bradley still out
After 10 games away from the team due to pandemic protocols, Jimmy Butler was back in the Miami Heat mix for Saturday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings at AmericanAirlines Arena.
“He’s worked extremely hard behind the scenes,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “There’s no quote, unquote minutes restriction.”
Having watched the previous two games out of uniform from the bench, losses to the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, Butler was back with the team for the third game of the Heat’s six-game homestand.
“That Washington game felt like two months ago,” Spoelstra said of Butler’s previous game action, in a Jan 9 road victory over the Wizards at Capital One Arena.
“It’s just good to have everybody back and it’s great to have Jimmy back and available.”
Butler returns to the active roster at a time the Heat remain without guard Goran Dragic, forwards Chris Silva and Moe Harkless, center Meyers Leonard, with all having missed multiple games.
Saturday’s absence was the third for Dragic, due to a strained left groin. It was the 11th consecutive absence for Leonard, due to a strained left shoulder. It was the fourth consecutive absence for Harkless, with a bruised left thigh. It was the sixth consecutive absence for Silva, who has a left hip flexor strain.
Also remaining out was guard Avery Bradley now having missed consecutive missed games with a bruised knee following a one-game return after he had missed eight games in pandemic protocols following a positive COVID-19 result.
Previously listed as questionable for Saturday’s game but then cleared to play were Tyler Herro (neck), Andre Iguodala (neck) and Udonis Haslem (personal).
As for Butler, the return was heartening.
“He’s worked extremely hard behind the scenes,” Spoelstra said. “There’s no quote, unquote minutes restriction.”
The Heat currently have no players in pandemic protocols.
“I said it two games ago,” Spoelstra said, “even though we didn’t play how we wanted to, it was just great being back here and having everybody in the same meeting, film session, walkthrough, locker room.”
Whiteside returns
Former Heat center Hassan Whiteside, back in South Florida with the Kings for Saturday night’s game, has taken it upon himself to handle the rookie hazing with Kings teammate Tyrese Haliburton.
As is his wont, Whiteside first built his case with social-media posts.
He then took it further in a Zoom media interview.
“Rook is out of control!” Whiteside said. “He forgot the towels and I’m like, ‘We need doughnuts.’ Then he said, Krispy Kreme is not good. I’m like, ‘Man!’ You can’t disrespect Krispy Kreme.’
“But I love messing with Rook. I love messing with all of the guys. These guys are a great group of guys. They all got great personalities and that’s why I want to see them win.”
After playing last season with the Portland Trail Blazers on the final year of the four-year,
$98 million contract he signed with the Heat in the 2016 offseason, Whiteside is with the Kings this season on a one-year, veteran-minimum contract, earning
$2.3 million. Whiteside actually has been effusive with praise for Haliburton, who has emerged as a steal from his selection at No. 12.
“He plays like he has been in the league for years, him in the pick and roll, his knowledge of the game and his pace,” Whiteside said. “He got a really bright future. The Kings got a really great draft pick with him. He got a chance to be a really good defender. I think he has an ugly shot, but it goes in. I tell him all of the time, ‘Just keep shooting.’ ”
Playing as a reserve behind Richaun Holmes, Whiteside arrived for Saturday’s game averaging 7.5 points on .569 shooting, 4.8 rebounds and one block in 13.3 minutes per game this season, having missed four games due to a sore left hip.
For Whiteside, 31, it has been a full-circle journey, drafted by the Kings at No. 33 in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft, then waived by Sacramento on July 16, 2012.