Q: Ira, there could have been some rust, but most people seem to think Jimmy Butler didn’t give full effort Friday. Which is better for the Heat: Having someone with Jimmy’s talent playing half-hearted?

NBA legend Scottie Pippen isn't impressed with Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler or modern NBA superstars in the player empowerment era.

In his current standoff with the Heat front office ( read: Pat Riley ), Miami attempted to avoid the “burn everything down” portion by suspending Butler seven games for conduct detrimental to the team ( read: attempting to force a trade ).

Jimmy Butler's seven-game suspension came to an end Friday night as the star forward returned to action with the Miami Heat, who were promptly smoked by the visiting Denver Nuggets, 133-113.

Jimmy Butler is back with the Miami Heat after his suspension, but nothing has really changed. Butler still wants the Heat to trade him and the Heat will continue to try to fulfill that request ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline.

The clash pits perhaps the NBA's most disgruntled superstar against a franchise that won't bend to his will. And everyone in the NBA is watching.

There was no pretense of Butler being a vibrant part of the Heat for Friday’s game. He shot by himself in warmups. There was none of the choreographed palm-slapping with teammates that’s a typical part of any pregame. Kevin Love did run out to him just before the center-tap and shake hands. It looked like the first time they’d seen each other.

Butler met with Heat president Pat Riley last week, and then met with Heat owner Micky Arison and chief executive officer Nick Arison on Thursday, according to league sources. Through it all, Butler has remained adamant about his desire to be traded.

Jimmy Butler reportedly ‘hasn’t even really started’ creating drama with the Heat, so let’s rank his funniest trade demand escalation options.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was back on the court Friday night for the first time since he was handed a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the

The Thunder have all they need to win as constructed now, but adding Johnson would elevate them to another level as far as the current contenders go. Johnson is an elite 3-and-D wing who has had a solid season thus far.