Jimmy Butler‘s departure from the Sixers wasn’t simply a desire to play in Miami. He had some issues in Philadelphia which convinced him not to sign long-term with the organization, as he told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Butler made it known in the days leading up to free agency that he would leave Philadelphia, Haynes continues.
“Nobody knows what really went on in Philly and we’re going to leave it that way,” Butler said. “But it was a great opportunity for me.”
Butler chose the Heat on the first day of free agency and secured a four-year, $141MM contract when the Sixers agreed to a sign-and-trade that involved multiple teams.
Butler said his problems with the Sixers organization had nothing to doing with center Joel Embiid. Butler refused to elaborate what exactly led to his decision.
“All of that will come out whenever it’s time,” he said. “Right now is not the time. I’m locked in with this. I’m happy, man. … I’m not saying Philly wasn’t great, man. We had some really good players. I talk to Joel (daily). It’s a brotherhood, man. I love that guy. I’m going to always have his back and I know he’ll always have mine.”
Butler noted that he wanted to be traded to Miami when he had a falling out with the Timberwolves. He also expressed disdain for critics who believe that he’s not an franchise player.
“(They) act like I’m not a good basketball player,” Butler said. “Like for real. Just think about that. Like I can’t come in and make a huge difference. I’m not going to say ‘carry a team’ because nobody can do it by themselves and I mean that. I’m not putting it all on myself, but I know what I’m capable of.”
In his first three games with the Heat, Butler has averaged 14.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 7.3 APG and 4.3 SPG. His debut was delayed due to the birth of his daughter.
Shocking! Jimmy Butler had a problem with his team? He had them in Chicago, Minnesota and Philadelphia. At some point one has to see the only common denominator in all three is Jimmy Butler
It’s going to be hilarious when he spends the rest of his career in Miami and wins a chip or at the very least, make one or two appearances in the NBA finals.
Philly and Minnesota have “modern day minded” players who can’t take a bit of tough love to get better. Butler has owned up to his Chicago mistake with him and Hoiberg. Butler and Miami are meant for each other.
That will never happen. All teams go through rough patches and Jimmy turns on his teammates. It’s not shocking he likes Embiid as they are similar players. Talented yet flawed as human beings. He won’t play out his contract in Miami because you can only put up with people like this for a few years.
@zeikul
Riley has a lot of cache. I wonder if Butler will be a good solider for the team.
@stretch123
Honestly, Jimmy seems to think he’s a tough guy. He’s really not. I really have no idea what he thinks is tough about him. Back in the 90s guys like Mason, Oak, the Daniels bros of Indiana, etc would’ve wanted all that smoke and I bet he wouldn’t cut the mustard. Does he think he’s mentally tough? I’m not sure what his thing is. Leaders lead not bail on players.
Good ole days of the Daniels bros enforcing in the paint.
I agree. Butler is a fake tough guy. Does he work hard? Sure. But working hard, alone, doesn’t make you some tough as nails guy. He’s a little immature/emotional drama queen about EVERYTHING. That’s anything but “tough.” Thats effeminate behavior. Probably got it from his mamma.
Miami won’t sniff the finals for the next 5 years unless they get AD, Steph and LBJ to join him. AKA not gonna happen.
Must have your teams mixed up because the Sixers will be in many more finals than the Heat for the foreseeable future. And if the Greek Freak ever leaves the East, it will be a cake walk pending injuries.
Ha! Philly mired in a losing culture. Tanking for two decades left it’s mark on your less mentally tough players (Like Embrio and Simmons). Pacers will bounce Philly in playoffs this year. Next year Philly won’t get that far
@ meant year after this
Pretty sure there are some players that can carry a team… at 141mil he better do more than just his share
Sounds like he is just laying the ground work for an I told you so if the team doesn’t perform well
Good point
So true and while a very good player, not a franchise player type.
LeBron carried 4 cadavers though the Eastern conference playoffs
He’s basically saying he didn’t want to work with a point guard that can’t shoot and a center who effects the game with his emotions that much. Also stop thinking he’s a problem cause he’s a bulldog and doesn’t want to play with a bunch of feather merchants. Or at least that’s how I would feel. Jimmys great.
Someone understands. Finally.
Feather merchants LOL that line killed me
I know it kind sound far fetched but I think Jimmy Butler is like a less talented Kobe Bryant. Kobe and Jimmy both have that attitude and work ethic were they give you 110% everyday, they strive to be great and expect their teammates to have a similar work ethic.
Obviously Jimmy got pissed off at Wiggins and KAT for being soft and having really good talent but not putting as much effort in as he would. It must be frustrating knowing he came from being a 30th pick that was homeless and having nothing to being an all star whereas Wiggins and KAT both number 1 picks, wouldn’t try as hard as he did.
In Philly maybe he had similar issues with all the stars their and not hard enough work ethic who knows. There is story’s of Joel eating McDs everyday and not dieting.
I’m happy for Jimmy now that he’s got his own team and is a leader and because it’s a young team with a good head coach he gets a big say in things. Tyler Herro is going to benefit a lot from it, not only does he have a good vet who has taken him under his wing but he’s also got a really good coach. Tyler can already shoot it well but hopefully Jimmy helps him improve defensively and teaches him some leadership and work ethic.
Miami has gotten off to a hot start and will fade away slowly and everyone keeps saying they should trade for another star. I think that will happen, I like CP3 but not sure how well he fits with Winslow and Butler. I would firstly try get rid of Johnson and Waiters, the two biggest distractions and hopefully get back something decent even if it’s something like Nic Batum and a first or for Serge Ibaka.
This dude gives me a headache. He has an issue everywhere he plays. He needs to just go out there and ball, good player, not great but really good but his attitude problem and not being able to stay out of drama everywhere he plays is going to end up making teams not want him at this rate.
Regardless of ‘what went on’, the Sixers aren’t a likeable team. I can imagine Joel shooting endless threes, Ben thinking he’s the next coming of Magic and Brett’s grating, sentimental personality and questionable coaching soon become trying.
I love people saying Jimmy Is not a great player.
Guys, there are two different sports: RS and Playoffs. In phila during RS Jimmy was the third man… But in the real basketball, during Playoffs, jojo and big ben were Little Jo and Small Ben… Think about it
Yeah, we all know exactly what went on in Philly, because it’s the same thing that happened everywhere else.
When he was in Minny KAT was soft and Wiggins was trash. When he was in Philly Jo was soft and Simmons was trash. There’s nobody in Miami he can point a finger at. Of course he’s a franchise player there. Yes he was great in the postseason for the Sixers but still wasn’t enough. This Heat team is lucky they are in the East so he can coast through the regular season but he doesn’t have enough help for the playoffs.
I would be surprised if by the end of the season or at most by the end of next season he doesn’t find teammates to blame for why the heat aren’t a championship caliber team.
Poor, Poor Jimmy, just a misunderstood lad in this cold hearted NBA world where FO’s just cannot grasp what makes Jimmy a happy boy. Look at all the titles Jimmy has won! Wait? Not so many! Look at all the Conference Finals Jimmy been to. Wait? Not too many of those either!!!! Go Go Jimmy Go
Words & Music from Jimmy B in=b B Flat minor
Go GO Jimmy go
Down in Lousiana close to New Orleans,
Back up in the woods among the evergreens,
Stood a log cabin made of earth & wood,
Lived a country boy named Jimmy B Good
Who never learned to read or write so well,
He could dribble a ball like ringing a ball……
Go Go Go Jimmy Go
He used to carry B-ball in a gunny sack,
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track,
Engineers would see him Dribbling in the shade,
Shooting with the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by would say,
Oh that Jimmy Boy can play!
Go Go Go Jimmy Go
Classic
Let’s just be real. He wanted to live and play in Miami, he saw how much fun Bron had, Wade got in his ear. Like who is going to a team with Olynyk, Johnson, Waiters, and Tragic expecting to win a championship? Winslow is a role player. Bam is their only bright spot. It’s only a few games so well see what Herro actually ends up being.
He went for atmosphere. And Philly probably didnt go 4 or 5 yr max.
Yup. That’s why everyone goes to Miami.
This guy has a problem with everything and everyone. He’s nothing but an immature drama queen. Total locker room cancer.