Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is currently serving a seven-game suspension due to multiple instances of “conduct detrimental to the team.” Butler will lose out on $2.5 million, but the player’s association is expected to file a grievance with the league–which could take up to a year to resolve.
As the situation continues to unravel, we will be seeing dirty laundry getting aired. Former Miami Heat guard and Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. shared his perspective on Sirius XM radio with Justin Termine and 17-year NBA veteran, crushing Butler and revealing one damning detail about what the Heat allegedly sent the player’s association.
“You don’t disrespect authority and that’s what Jimmy Butler has been doing. And I will tell you this: This boat is going to sail on top of the water as long as Pat Riley there. Jimmy Butler is trying to sink that ship. That ship is not going to sink,” Hardaway said. “You under contract, you play up under this contract and see where all the chips may fall. And you opt into $52 million next year that you say you’re not going to opt into, which is mind-boggling to me? How are you going to opt out of $52 million?
“These guys can’t take rejection, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s about accountability. If you can’t take rejection because everything has been saying, ‘yes yes yes yes yes,’ to you, now you’re upset that the world is coming to an end and, ‘Now I can’t play because he’s not going to give me the money that I want.’ No, go out there and play. You’re under contract, go ahead and play. … I know [Pat Riley] gave [the NBPA] a 10-page letter and I know he gave them some film to show them why he suspended him.”
Those are strong words from Hardaway, who had his feuds with Riley over the years as a player.
Butler’s scheduled to return Jan. 17 against the Denver Nuggets if he’s not traded by then. The Heat could suspend Butler longer if they have reason to after his suspension. But it wouldn’t benefit the 35-year-old forward, who owns a $52.4 million player option for 2024-25, to miss more games and cost himself more money. It didn’t benefit him to subtly throw the best coach in the NBA under the bus for no justifiable reason, either, so who am I kidding?
We obviously don’t know what Hardaway is referring to in terms of the 10-page letter or the evidence the Heat brass gave the league. But there was a reason why they suspended him seven games–outside of being away from the team, on a six-game road trip, for two weeks. We’re only at the tip of the iceberg of what’s been revealed so far–from both sides. This will get uglier before it becomes prettier.
Do you agree with Tim Hardaway Sr.’s comments? Let us know below!
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