Jimmy Butler is halfway through an epic revenge tour

After taking out the team that traded him in 2017, Butler set his sights on the team that swept the Heat in 2021: The Milwaukee Bucks. Butler also played his college ball there at Marquette and the Bucks - and everyone else picking 1-29 - passed on him in the 2011 draft.

After averaging 30 points in the first three games of the series, Butler exploded for 56 points in Miami's Game 4 comeback win.

Then he forced overtime in Game 5 with an unbelievable shot, and the Heat eliminated the Bucks five minutes later.

In round two, Butler faced his old coach in Chicago and Minnesota, Tom Thibodeau, now leading the New York Knicks. Butler led the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance in 14 years but clashed with his old coach the next summer, including an obscenity-filled, confrontational practice.

Butler summarized their relationship to ESPN with more colorful language: "F--- Thibs," he told Nick Friedell with a smile. "F--- your article. And I like Thibs."

Butler sprained his ankle in Game 1 and missed the Heat's Game 2 loss, but returned with 28 and 27 points in Miami's next two wins.

If the Heat, up 3-2 on the Knicks, can close the series out at home, Butler may get to face another old team. The Philadelphia 76ers chose Ben Simmons over Butler in 2019, and Butler went to the Heat. He'd love to show them what they lost once again, a year after eliminating Philly in the second round.

If the Celtics come back, well, Butler gets a shot at payback from the team that he came one missed three from beating in last year's conference finals.

This is looking way too far ahead, but with Miami and Los Angeles both leading their series 3-2, we could even see a rematch of the 2020 NBA Finals, where Butler individually willed his injured team to two wins in a six-game loss.

Butler has a chance to defeat nearly everyone who has wronged him in the last six years, besides the people who didn't bring cash to Big Face Coffee, his NBA Bubble side hustle that became a real company.

The revenge tour continues Friday night in Miami.