Pat Riley’s memories of Jimmy Butler are still fond. Despite their reportedly contentious split, which played out across multiple scathing reports and an eventual trade that sent the six-time All-Star to Golden State in February, ending a magical six seasons in Miami, Riley didn’t torch the once fiery Heat star.

Pat Riley asked about tanking, Riley said he doesn’t know about that. That’s not the Heat way. (He did say earlier the Heat sort of tanked twice before this century but never

While the Heat and Butler ended the relationship in ugly fashion, it still seems that time will heal all wounds, with Riley never faltering in his appreciation. He would even say on Friday that he loves Butler while acknowledging that sometimes, negotiations go south.