In a post-game press conference following the Golden State Warriors’ Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets, head coach Steve Kerr delivered a statement that might sting Miami Heat fans.

Kerr, known for his measured words, didn’t hold back when praising Jimmy Butler, who now dons the Warriors’ blue and yellow.

“Jimmy is one of the best players in the league,” Kerr declared, a comment that underscores Butler’s impact since his trade from the Heat earlier this year.

The image of Kerr at the podium, set against the NBA Playoffs backdrop, paired with a snapshot of the Warriors-Rockets matchup, paints a vivid picture of the moment.

Butler’s all-around performance was one that Kerr couldn’t stop raving about, as the star posted a remarkable statline of 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals.

Butler, often dubbed “Playoff Jimmy” for his postseason heroics, has seamlessly integrated into the Warriors’ system, bringing the same tenacity that once defined his Heat tenure.

For Heat fans, this praise might feel like salt in the wound. Butler’s departure from Miami in February 2025, after requesting a trade citing a loss of joy in basketball, left a bitter taste.

Kerr’s glowing endorsement-calling Butler one of the league’s elite-highlights what the Hear lost.

Since joining the Warriors, Butler has been a catalyst, helping the team climb the Western Conference standings and now shining in the playoffs.

While Warriors fans celebrate their new star, Heat supporters might be left wondering what could have been if Butler had stayed in South Beach.