Golden State Warriors ahead Jimmy Butler III (10) works in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks through the second half of an NBA basketball sport, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Picture/Mike Stewart)
MIAMI SHORES, Florida — Jimmy Butler has been by these first-game-back matchups in opposition to former groups earlier than. He acquired a standing ovation and a tribute video at Chicago in 2018. He acquired jeered in Minnesota in 2019. He acquired downright booed in his return to Philadelphia later that yr.
Subsequent up: His return to Miami on Tuesday.
And it’s honest to anticipate a little bit of every thing.
READ: NBA: Jimmy Butler’s comeback sport vs Miami Warmth nears
There will probably be a tribute video from the Warmth, which isn’t unusual for returning gamers who had been All-Stars for the franchise. There nearly actually will probably be a thunderous introduction when his title is known as alongside the remainder of Golden State’s starters. There will probably be some cheering. There will probably be loads of booing. All of it is to be anticipated, particularly after Butler’s remaining weeks in Miami had been marred by three suspensions that preceded his commerce to the Warriors final month.
“There are not any laborious emotions,” Butler mentioned Monday after the Warriors practiced at Barry College. “I’m in a greater place now for me.”
He wished out, and the Warmth finally gave him his want. The Warriors are 16-3 with Butler within the lineup, sufficient of a lift to assist them claw out of play-in-tournament vary for now and provides them an opportunity at securing a assured playoff berth with a top-6 seed. Butler appears happier and the Warriors are taking part in higher, so it’s been a transparent win for Golden State.
Miami simply snapped a 10-game dropping streak. The Warmth, who’re seemingly resigned to the play-in match as their path to the postseason, are nonetheless adjusting to Life After Jimmy.
“Clearly there’ll be lots of totally different emotions about it,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned of Butler’s return to Miami. “I in all probability received’t specific all of them and that’s honest. However we had a fantastic five-year run and we didn’t win the title. However just one workforce does. We had some nice moments right here.”
READ: NBA: Hawks get previous Warriors, earn cut up of season sequence
The Warmth went to the Jap Convention finals 3 times within the Butler period, made the NBA Finals twice and received 268 video games, together with playoffs, in his first 5 seasons with the membership — the fifth most within the league over that span. However when he didn’t get provided an extension final summer time, the connection started splintering. He was suspended 3 times for numerous violations of workforce guidelines and wasn’t shy about making clear that he felt like a change of surroundings was essential. The Warmth mentioned they wouldn’t commerce him, then had no alternative however to vary course.
The Warriors made the provide that acquired the deal completed, and out of the blue they appear like title contenders once more.
“It’s been superb. He’s of the most effective gamers within the league. He’s immediately remodeled our workforce,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “We’re 16-4 since we acquired him. He’s a really distinctive expertise. He’s a celebrity, however he’s a delicate celebrity. He doesn’t wow you together with his leaping potential or taking pictures prowess or pace. It’s simply his brute power and his mind. He is among the smartest gamers I’ve ever been round, and his potential to only generate open shot after open shot is spectacular, and he’s clearly a fantastic two-way participant. He’s a hell of a defender. We’re fortunate to have him.”
READ: NBA: Disgruntled Warmth star Jimmy Butler headed to Warriors
For the document, Butler’s groups have gone 1-2 within the Jimmy-goes-back video games in his profession. Minnesota misplaced 114-113 at Chicago on Feb. 9, 2018, Philadelphia received 118-109 at Minnesota on March 30, 2019 and Miami misplaced 113-86 at Philadelphia on Nov. 23, 2019.
Butler insists that to him, Tuesday will probably be simply one other day.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“That is basketball. It’s quite simple,” Butler mentioned. “I don’t have all of the feelings that everyone thinks I’m going to have. It’s what it’s. I understand we had some nice years right here. I’ve constructed some unbelievable bonds with some people within the group, within the metropolis, hell, within the state of Florida. However I’m getting in to hoop. I’m getting in to play basketball.”