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Jimmy Butler vows Heat will be back in NBA Finals
Jimmy Butler believes things are just getting started for the Heat. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Butler vows Heat will be back in NBA Finals after Game 6 loss

The Miami Heat weren't able to pull off an upset win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, and while Jimmy Butler felt that he let the organization down, he vowed that his team would return and win a title. 

Following Sunday's 106-93 loss, Butler revealed what he told team president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra. 

"This is what my team needed me to do, the organization asked of me," Butler said, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell. "I told them that I would win them one and I didn't hold up my end of the bargain, so that means I got to do it next year. I told Coach Pat, I told Coach Spo I'm here to win one. I didn't do my job, so moving forward, I got to hold up my end of the bargain."

Despite Butler's assessment of his time in the bubble, his teammates and coaches know there wasn't much else he could've accomplished. The 31-year-old led the fifth-seeded Heat to within two games of a title win, which is unexpected given where they were when games in the bubble began.

After sweeping the Indiana Pacers, the Heat unexpectedly beat the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks and talented Boston Celtics to reach the Finals. Butler's 22.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game helped Miami reach new heights. 

While they didn't accomplish the ultimate goal, Miami could once again be a difficult team to play against next season. It was reported before the end of the Finals that Miami is seen as a "top destination" for the league's top free agents and trade candidates, so it appears their lineup may only get better heading into next season. 

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