Jimmy Butler’s legendary competitiveness is well-documented, and former teammate Michael Carter-Williams recently shared a story that perfectly encapsulates Butler’s intense, no-nonsense approach to basketball. Appearing on the show ‘Run It Back’, Carter-Williams recalled an extraordinary one-on-one challenge during their time together with the Chicago Bulls in the 2016-17 season. The story is vintage Butler: fiery, confrontational, and undeniably confident.
“He’d get into it with guys and then he’d be like, you know, play me one-on-one after practice. They, you know, they start playing one-on-one and Jimmy just torches him.”
“I think he got into it with a two-way guy one time. And dude was like, I don’t really like, like, you know how, I don’t care that you’re the best player on the team, you’re a star on the team. I can’t remember who it was though. Damn, I wish I remember who it was, but I can’t remember.”
“He was like, play me, like play me one-on-one. And Jimmy was like, I’m not playing for nothing on the line. And he was like, all right, let’s play for 10 bands. And Jimmy was like, nah, if we play, if I win, you gotta never play basketball again. I’m not giving you 10 bands.”
This wasn’t an idle threat. For Butler, basketball isn’t just a game; it’s a proving ground. His insistence on putting his teammate’s basketball career on the line speaks volumes about his mentality. To Butler, playing isn’t about money or ego—it’s about respect, pride, and a ruthless commitment to excellence.
The Bulls’ 2016-17 season was already full of drama. The roster featured a mix of strong personalities, including Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Rajon Rondo. While the trio brought experience and talent, their time together wasn’t without tension. Reports of locker-room friction and inconsistent play dominated headlines, though the team managed to gel briefly during the playoffs before Rondo’s untimely injury derailed their chances against the Boston Celtics.
Though Carter-Williams couldn’t remember the name of the player involved, the story has become another piece of the Jimmy Butler mythology. It underscores why Butler has become one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA. His intensity has often rubbed people the wrong way, but it has also propelled him to incredible heights, including multiple deep playoff runs and a reputation as one of the league’s fiercest competitors.
The episode serves as a reminder of the standards Butler sets—not just for himself, but for everyone around him. Whether or not his teammate accepted the ultimatum, one thing is clear: Jimmy Butler doesn’t back down, and he doesn’t play for anything less than everything.
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