Grayson Moody
Appearances
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
even Jimmy Butler, who without Steph is supposed to kind of be the offensive creator. Like he's scored 11 points, had a couple of assists. Of course, there was a lot of potential assists that were missed, but he hasn't been overwhelming offensively. He's had a couple of nights at a couple of quarters, like the quarter that Steph got hurt in against the Raptors, right?
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Jimmy kind of, you know, took him home down the stretch and he's at moments. But I think,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
I will say like if we're telling if we're going to be telling the postmortem on this team in the playoffs or play in theoretically, but probably in a playoff series, I think it is going to be they just couldn't score enough against long active defenses, you know, at the rim and from three and from a creation standpoint. And they're still despite being, you know,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
the burden is not quite as tough on Steph Curry. I still think it's going to be too much against the best defenses, especially because, you know, Jimmy Butler doesn't have quite the offensive pop. I don't believe that he used to have, he's an all around great player. That's changed their team. And then the other thing, maybe we're going to get to coming at like the, the coming of reintegration.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Well, I'm glad you brought that on a smooth.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Yeah. I mean, they're talking about wanting to have more spacing lineups, getting Quentin Post out there more often, you know, and like Jonathan Kaminga is not, you know, you're more traditional, like catch and shoot spacer. When he was playing really well in the middle portion of the season before he sprained his ankle, he was being featured more.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
It's kind of in some ways in like the Jimmy Butler role. He comes back to a team that Jimmy Butler's on and like, We'll see how they fit long-term on the court together. I'm not sure it's gone that great through seven, eight games, whatever it's been, because Jimmy Butler's kind of stagnant. They're isolating Jimmy Butler a lot more.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Kerr had some stats the other day that Jimmy Butler's the best isolation player in the league, according to their metrics. They're going to feature that. Typically around your more ball-dominant isolation guys, you want you know, space shooters who don't need isolations themselves. And I think Kaminga is trying to learn.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
He's had a couple of games where his cutting has been very good and he does stuff that they really need, right? Powerful downhill slashing. But he also kind of wants to get to his mid Ranger at times. And he wants to be featured in defenses, sag off them, which naturally clutters the lane. So there's a little of that. And, and then the bigger picture two steps back is just like, I don't know.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
that there's always been a full level of belief from Steve Kerr and the coaching staff about Kaminga. And I just think his playing time fluctuation sometimes leads to him not being as fully engaged as you'd want him to be.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
But some of it, in my opinion, is understandable because it just feels like he's just so commonly yanked around and he just doesn't know what the role is, what everything is designed to be for him now and into the future.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
I think a lot because if they decide to pay him as Joe Lacob, you know, who was very much part of the drafting process of coming in has remained a staunch believer of coming. It's, you know, he told me on the record after the Butler trade that the full, you know, belief and intention of him and their front office is to pay commingle, you know,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And, you know, coming is obviously seeking, you know, seeking the max, which is max would start in the 37, 38 range. But, you know, even if it's not that mid 20s towards 30, if they were to give him that type of contract this summer while already committing big money to Butler, Curry, Draymond, you're talking about. A near second apron team already. Yeah. Committing to that long term.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And to me, you only do something like that. You only go that deep in the tax if it's like this is a title contending core and you know it. So if they go and, you know, they knock on the door of the finals this year and really kind of make a run. and coming as a heavy part of it, then, then I can see his future being here and then paying big money for, for that type of team.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
But if, if they flame out and if he's not that big of a factor, and if, if that core four that I mentioned looks like it doesn't fit, I can't imagine them paying that type of money to, to those four type of players for a team that, you know, flamed out in the first round, like four, one or something like that.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And then, you know, coming as futures in question, but also, you know, you know, do they make another tweak with,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
with the Butler dream on part of the core, because, you know, they, they're, they are kind of committed to this, like, you know, one last ride, two last rides, whatever you want to call it with this real aging threesome that they have, but also like Joe Lake, I'm still believes in Jonathan coming a long term in the talent.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
I don't think they want to have a completely empty cover where they just let them walk right for nothing. Yeah. So it's, it's, It's a tricky situation. And going back to the premise of your question, I think what happens over the next month and a half is very relevant.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
So I'll start with the urgency. I mean, it's high. They have, the plan's been around, what, like five years? Right. It's probably impacted them negatively more than anyone. They, the first year, lost to the Lakers in the 7-8 plan and then lost to that really young Grizzlies team that came into Chase Center and knocked them out of the playoffs when they were the eighth seed.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
They were the first team to experience being a top eight seed and not making the playoffs. Yeah. Um, so that was a negative experience. And then obviously last year they got pummeled in the, in the nine, 10 play. And like, they, they've seen their season end in that so much that like, you could tell how much they want to avoid that. Number one, just cause you don't want your season to be done.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
But also if you avoid the plane, and I think this is very important considering the age of their team and how they believe they have to win playoff series, which is what they're smart.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
You get the week off where you rest your bodies and you also prep, you know, you sure. Let's say you squeak in the playoffs is the eight seed. You're going to win that game on Friday night. And then you're going to be in Oklahoma city, like Sunday afternoon game one. Right. Yeah. You don't want that. Now, who do they want to play for? My educated opinion would be the Rockets. Okay.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And I believe the Rockets are in the two. I mean, I know it's all kind of jumbled up right now.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
So honestly, I could hear the argument that the, the it's threading the needle, but the pet best path for them might be sitting in the seven, eight, getting a home play in game on like a Tuesday night, winning that and sitting in the seven. Right. You're out of the thunders side of the bracket. Yeah. and you're facing what I think is a more appealing opponent than the Lakers or the Nuggets.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
But, again, that puts you in danger in that 7-8 game. You'll lose that. Then your season's on the line. Then you're playing the Thunder even if you win it. So it's tricky. I mean, I know what they're going to do is they're just going to try to win as many of the next 10 games as possible, avoid the play-in, and play whoever they play.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
But I do think the Rockets would be the most likely that they could take down in the first round.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Yeah, I mean, you mentioned the name Mike Dunleavy, and where he's really important here is he was the only person in this situation who knew both sides. He knows the Warriors. He's been in their front office for a handful of years now. Obviously, he's been at the head of it now for two seasons. He knows how Steve Kerr operates.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
He knows the type of environment that Steph Curry has cultivated that allows stars to walk in and feel comfortable. But he also knows Jimmy Butler. He played with Jimmy Butler for three years. I've talked to Jimmy about Mike and how much he loves Mike for a few reasons.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
But number one, Mike was there when Jimmy Butler prior to his star turn and Mike was adamant to Jimmy Butler that he saw it in him. Um, And Mike also, as I put it in the story, saw Jimmy Butler turn down Chicago's four-year, $44 million rookie extension. Right. Basically tell the Bulls, like, no, no, I'm going to go, you know, outplay it.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And then by November, December of that season, he was like guaranteed max. Right. And just, you know, Mike is sitting there jaw dropped, like, you know, about Jimmy. And he, while I think even... Steph Curry and Steve Kerr, they're reading everything that's going on in Miami. Obviously Steve's very friendly with Eric's bolster.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
He coached with, there was reservations from that side of the franchise. And I think clearly there was reservations around the league from people who didn't know Jimmy Butler and, and,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And Mike brought this trade together and kind of got it across the finish line because, you know, he had confidence that what's happening right now would happen where what Jimmy needs at this point of his career, knowing him is what the Warriors environment could provide. He made sure ownership greenlit the contract extension, which is, you know, how do you get a motivated Jimmy Butler?
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
How do you get a happy Jimmy Butler? You you show him you value him. You give him the financial backing he wants, but also just like the state. of the contract in the trade. And then the other thing to kind of wrap up, you know, what we're talking about here is this idea of a Jimmy Butler honeymoon.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
And, you know, they're being warned by people across the league at all the various stops about this expiration date. It's like, you know, wait a couple of years from now. They're like, that's all they got anyways.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
You know, like they lined up the contract. Steph Curry was 37, Draymond 35, Jimmy 35. They're all expiring off, you know, two and a half seasons from now, basically two at this point, you know, that's going to give them two to three playoff runs. And if it just goes up in flames, you know, it's burning something down. That's that it's inevitably ending regardless.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Like they kind of just think there's a massive rebuild. Like they're going to fall off the cliff soon. So they're like, what, you know, whatever, like let's have a fun honeymoon for, for a marriage that's ending regardless. Yeah.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
pretty dull to be honest. Um, didn't, uh, and you know, Steve Kerr said at post game and I, you know, I thought he was right. I mean, this is kind of Miami's crowds vibe, which is, you know, he, he put it in a very complimentary way of like such a great city, so much to do. Nobody's ever too amped up. Uh, and you know, even talking to some of the warriors people, uh,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
pre and post game, how much it didn't compare to Kevin Durant going back to Oklahoma city. Right. And obviously like there, that one was deeper and, and just, there was more nuance to that, but also that's a ferocious, uh, you know, I guess road atmosphere typically. And this isn't. And, you know, Jimmy Butler got some tepid booze, some cheers and some acknowledgement.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
They were half-hearted. And the other thing is, I think the Heat kind of did this on purpose, but they did it pregame. Right. Which, you know, and this is a notoriously late-arriving crowd, right? They're just kind of lounging in from the beach or whatever. So, sure, I mean, you could tell, and, you know, Curb made this point also, like, the Heat were very motivated.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Eric Spolter had his team very motivated. Andrew Wiggins was flying around. Bam Adebayo was super aggressive offensively. Davion Mitchell played really well. You could tell that it meant a lot to the players, the coaches, the, you know,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
know, front office, the organization, but it didn't feel like it did again with like in Oklahoma city, that was an entire city descending upon the warriors and Kevin Durant. It was not like that on Butler.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
To be honest, I was at the De'Aaron Fox return game a couple of weeks ago in Sacramento and
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
that was like fiercer wow well that makes sense sacramento is a great crowd right yes agreed exactly yeah but you know he doesn't have the history or he certainly didn't have i mean it wasn't a great divorce but not that level but it wasn't butler's uh but yeah i mean i don't know it's so in a sense like the scene and this and the moment in the event was a little bit underwhelming yeah tonight yeah um
The Athletic NBA Daily
Jimmy Butler Returns to Miami + Dame OUT
Yeah. I mean, it's the potential Achilles heel for sure. And they missed, you mentioned a 14 straight threes by the starters to start the game. I think they were like nine to 38 from three. Meanwhile, the heat were 17 to 24 from three. But some of it is just like bad luck, right? Moses Moody went on nine for three. He's been shooting it really well for, for a long period of time. Yeah. But yeah,
The Athletic NBA Daily
Warriors win without Curry + Can NBA referees improve?
The new audiobook by Sebastian Fitzek. Now only on Audible.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
At PwC, we bring the power of a global network grounded in local know-how. From shifting regulations to fast-moving tech, we deliver tailored solutions that work everywhere you do. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Michael Malone out in Denver + Thunder get revenge on Lakers
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors
At PwC, we bring the power of a global network grounded in local know-how. From shifting regulations to fast-moving tech, we deliver tailored solutions that work everywhere you do. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Cavs more dominant than Thunder? + Playoff Jimmy saves Warriors
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Timberwolves comeback from down 24 to shock Thunder
Audible presents the new audiobook by Sebastian Fitzek. Imagine your worst date and multiply it with Sebastian Fitzek. A deadly, no thriller, about love, lies and last wishes. Horror Date, the new audiobook by Sebastian Fitzek. Now only on Audible.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Pistons beat Celtics + "Court of Gold" behind the scenes
At PWC, we bring the power of a global network grounded in local know-how. From shifting regulations to fast-moving tech, we deliver tailored solutions that work everywhere you do. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PWC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Pistons beat Celtics + "Court of Gold" behind the scenes
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Pistons beat Celtics + "Court of Gold" behind the scenes
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Pistons beat Celtics + "Court of Gold" behind the scenes
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Can the Celtics come back and beat the Knicks?
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Can the Celtics come back and beat the Knicks?
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Can the Celtics come back and beat the Knicks?
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Can the Celtics come back and beat the Knicks?
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Can the Celtics come back and beat the Knicks?
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up
He was able to get to the line.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up
At PwC, we bring the power of a global network grounded in local know-how. From shifting regulations to fast-moving tech, we deliver tailored solutions that work everywhere you do. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Thunder Make History + Knicks and Clippers Go Up
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Wemby out for the season | Nuggets take 2 seed in the West
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Wemby out for the season | Nuggets take 2 seed in the West
At PwC, we build for what's next. So you can get there now. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. PwC. So you can. PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Wemby out for the season | Nuggets take 2 seed in the West
At PwC, we bring the power of a global network grounded in local know-how. From shifting regulations to fast-moving tech, we deliver tailored solutions that work everywhere you do. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Wemby out for the season | Nuggets take 2 seed in the West
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
At PwC, we bring the power of a global network grounded in local know-how. From shifting regulations to fast-moving tech, we deliver tailored solutions that work everywhere you do. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
At PwC, we don't just deliver ideas. We make them work. With the expertise and tech you need to outthink and outperform. And we work with you, alongside you, from start to finish. So you can stay ahead. So you can protect what you've built. So you can create new value. We build for what's next. So you can get there now. PwC. So you can.
The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
PwC refers to the PwC network and or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.