Heat Notes: Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Role Players, Finals

Coach Erik Spoelstra said there’s no doubt about the leader of the Heat entering the Finals matchup with the Nuggets.

“Jimmy,” Spoelstra said about star wing Jimmy Butler, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “Leads with everything — his spirit, his soul, his competitive nature. It’s all out there on his sleeves. That’s what we love about him.

“I mentioned to him, when I first met him, and then in the subsequent years after that, he never has to apologize, ever, for who he is and what he is about. It’s the same language as us, and that’s why we’re all following him.”

Point guard Kyle Lowry added that Butler’s competitive nature is unmatched.

“He’s one of those guys who competes at literally everything — cards, Uno games, whatever games they play — he’s just the ultimate competitor,” Lowry said, via Winderman.

“And having a guy like that on your team, you feel good about every situation you’re going to be in. He brings the best out of himself in these moments.”

• How will the Heat defend Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and can they continue to play a zone? Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald takes a look here.’
• An anonymous scout said the Heat role players have come up big the entire playoffs, via Sam Amick, Josh Robbins and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. “The thing that stands out to me is the role players for Miami have really been the heroes,” the scout said. “Not just the unsung heroes. Everybody wants to talk about them being undrafted and unsung. But this time of year, your superstars are supposed to perform. But those guys (who are role players) — Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus — have been incredible. Even Kevin Love.”