The steady narrative around Miami Heat basketball has always been, they play hard because of the culture. This year it changed though. Pundits from ESPN to TNT have all clamored about actually having fun watching the team.
Miami has been gritty and hardworking for years, but fun has not been part of their DNA since the days of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James.
What makes this season so different?
For the national public, that would simply be the Jimmy Butler factor.
The same guy who was championed by Rachel Nichols–and profiled before the Los Angeles Lakers loss–and not so coincidentally criticized on the same show all summer long for being someone who has “only ever wanted to be the guy” with “the trappings of being the star.