Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler developed a special relationship after becoming teammates in 2016. Former products of Marquette, the two stars already had a lot of respect for each other. However, Jimmy G Buckets was compelled to hate D-Wade because of his initial aversion against the Miami Heat. However, things would change after the 3-time NBA champ convinced Butler to join the South Florida-based franchise. Today, from hating the Heat to wanting to retire with the organization, the 6-foot-7 superstar has come a long way. Further, revealing the final goal before hanging his boots, Jimmy wants to hit a game-winner like the one the Flash knocked down against the Warriors.
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Ever since Dwyane joined the Bulls, he would keep reiterating the exceptional Miami culture. Jumping from one franchise to another – Bulls to Wolves to Sixers – Jimmy decided to give in to Wade’s persuasion and joined the Heat in the summer of 2019 via sign-and-trade.
His signing became important for Erik Spoelstra and Co. after the retirement of Wade. Today, he is the Heat’s biggest star and franchise player and biggest star, something he hated Wade for being back in the day. Times have certainly changed.
“It’ll be the last jersey that I wear”: Jimmy Butler
Butler has had a great stint with the Heat, so far. Having spent 4 years with Pat Riley, the 6-time All-Star has already led the team to 2 NBA finals now.
Jimmy Butler since joining the Heat 🔥
-First NBA Finals (2020) appearance since Bron era
-First No. 8 seed to reach NBA Finals since 1999
-First Play-In team to make Conf. Finals + NBA Finals
-Led Miami to third Conf. Finals in four seasons
-Headed to second NBA Finals in four… pic.twitter.com/YiOsg42GtL— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2023
In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, the 2023 ECF MVP explained his initial hatred towards the Miami Heat. The reason was simple – Wade and Co. would beat his Chicago Bulls all the time. However, he later mentioned that life came full circle to him as he now desires to finish off his career dawning the Miami jersey.
“When I’m coming into the league, the Heat used to beat the Bulls all the time. They did, when they had the Big 3, the Heatles, whatever you wanna call them. So me getting drafted to the Bulls, it was like we can’t like the Miami Heat. You can’t like D-Wade even though y’all went to the same school. Then you fast forward and I’m playing with D-Wade for the Bulls… Full circle, it’ll be the last jersey that I wear.”
Jimmy Butler on hating the Miami Heat early in his careerpic.twitter.com/YB9LggSVNd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 31, 2023
Prior to the NBA Finals tipping off, the 33-year-old also disclosed a life goal of his – wanting to replicate Wade’s iconic game-winner in his final game.
“Maybe I’ll hit a game-winner like D-Wade, I think that’d be really good. I’m not standing on no tables, but it’d be really cool to be D(wyane) Wade for a day.”
[Jimmy Butler] “Maybe I’ll hit a game-winner like D-Wade, I think that’d be really good. I’m not standing on no tables, but it’d be really cool to be D-Wade for a day.” pic.twitter.com/sPe0wMA7G1
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) June 1, 2023
At the rate that he is going right now, he might just do it to win an NBA championship.
Wade and Butler once had a hilarious conversation over Gabrielle Union’s Instagram post
The duo developed a great camaraderie over the years. But that didn’t allow Butler to flirt with Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union. When he tried to do so, Wade immediately clapped back at his former teammate.
After commenting “WELL DAMN!!” on one of Gab’s Instagram posts, Jimmy would go on to receive a threatening yet hilarious reply from the legend on one of his posts.
Put well damn in caps on my wife photo again and you’re gonna see what the good, the bad, and the ugly is like
View this post on Instagram
Now, does Butler want to be “D-Wade for a day” only to hang out with his wife? But of course, needless to say, it was all fun and games between the two.
