Ira Winderman: Heat now with a pause to take (needed) stock of Jimmy Butler

MIAMI — This moment was inevitable, whether it came during the play-in, playoffs or the offseason.

At some point, it felt as if a decision would have to be made on Jimmy Butler.

Then, Wednesday night in Philadelphia, came the crashing and crushing reality.

And, so, a crossroads, the intersection of the franchise revival and older and injured.

No, not necessarily an inflection point, with two more seasons remaining on Butler’s contract, but a point when you take stock after an uneven, absence-filled season.