Heat Culture is reaching a crossroads. According to the Miami Herald, Jimmy Butler is seeking a contract extension this summer and it sounds like the Miami Heat are going to have to make a decision about the future of the franchise. Extend Butler or prepare for the next phase, whatever that may be.
Butler is the consummate Miami Heat player, but he turns 35 later this year. He missed 22 regular season games this season and appeared in more Fall Out Boy videos than playoff games. It’s never been a problem that he misses a big chunk of the regular season because he’s been such a great competitor in the postseason. Despite having a reputation for being an iron man under Tom Thibodeau during his early days, he’s only played 70 games in a season twice in his entire career and hasn’t appeared in more than 65 games since 2017 when he was still in Chicago.
Other topics discussed with Russo include his thoughts on whether Stephen A. Smith would ever leave First Take and ESPN, what Molly Qerim told him about his “What I’m Mad About” segment, the First Take moment that got him the most reaction, how he thinks Tom Brady will fare as an analyst, doing sports talk radio during an election season, adding Peter Schrager to his show, what it’s like to have a son going into sports talk radio and much more.
Following Russo, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include the U.S. men’s basketball gold medal win, Season 3 of The Bear and more.