For the last five years, Jimmy Butler has been a force of nature. He bridged the gap from Wade’s retirement and brought Miami Heat fans incredible basketball heroics, multiple Finals runs, and so much fun. For five years he represented Heat Culture to the fullest and wore the Miami black and red with pride (a jersey he once said he’d never wear). While doing so he also likely cemented himself as a top-five player in Heat history and fans expected him to ride into the beautiful Miami sunset as a Heat legend. After playing in Wade’s last home game, and seeing how he was treated I think Jimmy expected that himself.
Obviously that didn’t happen. Like in a nightmare fans couldn’t wake up from, Jimmy did the unthinkable. He quit on the team. For months rumors swirled, then finally a trade request was made and the suspensions began. The on-court product was awful – it only takes a quick peek at Jimmy’s Warriors’ stats to see he was holding back as the Heat spun its wheels and racked up some gross losses.
Jimmy has his joy back, but for many, his Miami legacy is tarnished. It’s hard to think back on his 56-point performance against Milwaukee or any of his other heroics and not feel the sting of the breakup. It’s hard to see past the fact that he is one of the only stars who didn’t thank the fans on the way out of the city before starting a new campaign in Golden State. It’s also hard to forget that for all his heroics, he leaves Miami ringless.
Legacies are measured in rings, that’s why Wade has a statue in front of the Kaseya Center, and it’s why Riley will have one outside of Crypto Arena. They are a testament to greatness. A testament to getting the job done. Nearly every jersey hanging in the Heat’s house is accompanied by a ring (or a HOF nod) and for now, it’s a wonder if Jimmy’s will hang there too.
Jimmy’s longtime friend, 2019 NBA Champion and former Heat point guard, Kyle Lowry called the 2022 ECF Game 7 loss a waste of a year, expanding by saying:
I only play to win championships. It was fun, and I appreciate my teammates, and I appreciate the opportunity. But for me, it’s a waste of a year. You’re not winning a championship, it’s a wasted year.”
So with this said, does it make Jimmy’s legacy in Miami harder to judge? Jimmy’s new coworkers are champions and world-class ones at that. They know what it takes to win, and they’ll no doubt get some impressive performances out of him as the playoffs arrive. But it won’t matter in Miami, even if he does get one with Curry. The image of Butler being the main guy, riding down Biscayne with the Larry O’Brien trophy is of a future that will never exist.
I think eventually Jimmy’s jersey should be retired. Time heals all wounds, and the Heat though famous for their breakups are world-class in their make-ups. If Vince Carter can have his jersey retired by the Raptors after a Jimmy-like exit, anything is possible (five people did wear #15 after him though).
Butler still has ties to Miami, the most significant being his café in the Design District. He’s also exclaimed his love for the city many times over the last five years. But I’m sure I speak for the majority of Heat fans when I say it’s been a long time since we felt it.
Jimmy’s era will eventually be remembered fondly – but also as one that seems stunted. They say ghosts hang around because of unfinished business, and if that’s the case Jimmy’s will haunt the Kaseya Center eternally.
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Said this before. These things happen. Even to the best franchise. Its was our time and the sting will linger but picking up wins and getting that 6th seed at least will ease the “pain”. Question is will they be able to pull it off? Im optimistic. For now.
Because of the way he quiet quit on the court and engaged in conduct detrimental to the team in order to force a trade, his legacy will be tarnished for years. By his behavior these past few months, it is clear Butler doesn’t GAF about the Miami fans or his former teammates. As in a bad divorce, memories of the good times will fade but the animosity will remain.
Jimmy Butler owes the Miami fans a sincere apology for being such a selfish, egotistical asshole throughout this whole process. Until and unless that happens, I don’t believe he deserves recognition of any kind by the Heat organization. He definitely does not deserve to have his number hanging in the rafters after he retires. He deserves nothing, zilch, nada, čisto nič.