Jimmy Butler criticizes Josh Hart and claims he would beat Knicks again

On By Vaseline

Last year, Jimmy Butler sent Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks home, and the Heat’s superstar wing wanted to do it again.

In a video that went viral on social media, Butler joined the Celtics in taking shots at the Knicks, Josh Hart and Tom Thibodeau.

“If I played, Boston would be home,” said Butler, who missed the Heat’s opening-round playoff loss to the Celtics because of a sprained right MCL. “New York would be fucking king at home.”

The interviewer then brought up Josh Hart.

Jimmy Butler shot at Knicks star Josh Hart. Link points/X

“Fk, does that mean to me? Jos Hart? Come on man,” said Butler, a six-time All-Star who played for Thibodeau with the Bulls and Timberwolves. ‘I love Thibs, but I don’t want Thibs. Thibs, I love you, baby, but I want to beat you to a pulp. You want me. I do not want you. It seems like a one-sided relationship. You’re in love with me and I love you, but I’m not in love with you, you know what I mean.

Last year, Butler and the Heat eliminated the Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals and advanced all the way to the NBA Finals as the eighth seed.

Josh Hart helped the Knicks eliminate the 76ers. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Tom Thibodeau has the Knicks back in the second round. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

They didn’t have the same luck this year after finishing in the same spot, and Butler believes he would have been healthy; it would have been a different story.

Standout Heat guard Terry Rozier was also injured in the loss to the Celtics.

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The Knicks, meanwhile, are preparing for the second round against the Pacers as they look to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.