When he first entered theNBA, Jimmy Butler vowed that he would never wear a Miami Heat jersey.
Fast forward to today, and he now has a chance to have that No. 22 jersey retired once it s all said and done.
Butler developed a close relationship with Dwyane Wade when they played together with the Chicago Bulls, and it s evident that Wade sold him on the idea of playing in South Florida.
“When I’m coming into the league, the Heat used to beat the Bulls all the time Then you fast forward, and I’m playing with D Wade Full circle, it’ll be the last jersey that I wear.”
Jimmy Butler
(h/t @ClutchPointsApp)
Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 31, 2023
In a recent interview with ESPN s Taylor Rooks, the Heat star vowed never to play for another franchise for the remainder of his career.
Butler bounced around the league after being traded by the Bulls, and he was somewhat under-appreciated.
He put the Minnesota Timberwolves on his shoulders to lead them to the playoffs for the first time in years, but he clashed with franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns, so he wasn t a good fit for their future.
He later joined the Philadelphia 76ers and was one unlucky bounce away from at least taking the Toronto Raptors to overtime in the playoffs, just to be lowballed in free agency.
People mocked him when he joined a lesser squad in Miami, citing that he would never even sniff the NBA Finals.
Now, he s reached the ultimate stage two times in four years in South Florida, and he was one win away last season from making it three out of four.
Butler has played himself into Hall-of-Fame consideration, and he s become the true embodiment of Heat Culture.
The cycle is complete.
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