Gotta do it next year, says Heat star Jimmy Butler.

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images / AFP

Jimmy Butler felt sorry for not being able to lead the Miami Heat to an NBA title after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, but said he was now more motivated to fulfill his promise to win the championship with the franchise next year.

In his debut season with the team, Butler, 31, raised his game when the Heat stormed the Finals for the first time since 2014, only to lose the best-of-seven title series 4-2 on Sunday.

The Lakers captured a record 17 NBA Championship with a 106-93 victory in Game 6, with Finals MVP and former Heat player LeBron James leading the charge.

“This is what my team needed me to do, the organization asked me,” Butler told reporters. “I told them I would win them one and I didn’t keep my end of the deal, so that means I can do it next year.

“I told (president) Pat (Riley), I told Coach Spo (Erik Spoelstra) that I’m here to win one. I didn’t do my job, so moving forward, I have to fulfill my end of the deal. “

Butler scored triple-doubles in Games two and five to force Game 6 and led the Heat in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals during the Finals.

However, he put aside his own performances.

“I didn’t win, so none of the statistics matter. We don’t play by statistics here, ”Butler said. “We don’t play for anything other than victory. I didn’t do that, I didn’t do my job.

“I’ll be better, along with everyone else. I better come back. You sulk at this for what could have been, but it didn’t happen. We didn’t win and that’s what this leaves behind. “

Read next

Don’t miss the latest news and information.

For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.