Jimmy Butler’s exit from the Miami Heat remains one of the most talked-about moves in recent NBA history. The player spent a significant amount of time away from the court due to suspensions imposed by the Heat, which ultimately led to his departure. Now with the Golden State Warriors, Butler made his feelings known to his former team ahead of tonight’s game.
During his final months with the Heat, Butler was seen as a star with high expectations, sometimes perceived as a demanding figure. However, Butler is well aware of how things unfolded and has no issue being labeled as the “bad guy” in the situation.
In an interview with Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Butler clarified that the narrative surrounding his exit from the Heat wasn’t entirely accurate and that he had no problem being cast in a negative light.
“So you can be mad. You can paint a picture that is not entirely true,” Butler explained. “I don’t even need to get into that. They know what they’re doing. You got to paint somebody to be the bad guy. I’ll take being a bad guy. Makes no difference”.
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors sets up a shot during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Butler finds happiness with the Warriors
Now with the Warriors, Butler expressed his contentment, noting that he is playing at a high level with aspirations to win an NBA championship. “I’m here now. I’m competing at a high level, and I’m helping the Golden State Warriors win,” he continued. “They want me here. Hell, I’m cool with being a bad guy over there“.
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The biggest reason for Butler’s happiness in Golden State is the freedom the team offers him to truly be himself. “You can’t control grown men in this line of work. You can try, but I’m going to do what I want to do. I’m going to show up. I’m going to compete, and I’m going to help us win,” Butler remarked.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also embraced Butler’s individuality when he arrived. “We welcome personal quirkiness and individualism, and I think guys always feel a sense of freedom here,” Kerr told Slater. “I told Jimmy that from Day 1. I said, ‘You be you'”.
Butler reflects on his suspensions with the Heat
Butler’s departure from the Heat wasn’t without controversy, particularly due to multiple suspensions he received during his final days with the team. The last suspension came after Butler left a practice without permission. While Butler understands why he was suspended, he feels the punishments were more about the team’s desire to move on from him than anything he did wrong.
“I think the suspensions were more about them not wanting me around the team,” Butler noted. “It wasn’t anything I actually did because I didn’t do anything too drastic to deserve X amount of games being suspended. But it is what it is”.
