There are times in the league when teammates have beefed with one another. Those instances are generally heavily reported on by the media, and there are varying reasons why players may have disagreements with one another.
Skip Bayless has previously claimed that star Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat had a “personal issue” with teammate Victor Oladipo, and doesn’t want to share the court with him. This is a claim that has since been mocked by Victor Oladipo, and it’s clear that Oladipo thought that Bayless’ words were inaccurate.
“He (Jimmy Butler) almost burned out Spo, what was it three weeks ago? And I told you it was a north-south moment for that team… So I was told, he’s got some personal issue that I do not know exactly what it is, with Victor Oladipo.”
Most recently, Jimmy Butler also denied that he has any form of personal issue with Victor Oladipo, and added that he reminds Oladipo to “stay ready” so he can make an impact when his “number is called”.
"You be who you are, you stay aggressive because when your number is called, which it was, you see what happens"
Jimmy Butler on Victor Oladipo staying ready. pic.twitter.com/7N2X611OWn
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2022
I’m used to it. I’m always the bad guy. That’s okay. Bad guys are welcome here, in the Miami Heat organization. I love my guys, as you can see, Vic was a huge part of us winning tonight.
It’s tough, he deserves to play. But that’s not my call. I don’t talk to anybody about it, I just always tell him “You be who you are, you stay aggressive”. Because when your number’s called, which it was, you see what happens.
Victor Oladipo has only played in one game these playoffs for the Miami Heat, but as Butler said, he was a crucial part of the Heat winning Game 4 against the Hawks. Hopefully, he gets more opportunities to prove himself in the future.
The Miami Heat are gunning to win a championship this season, and if they can get some off the bench contributions from Victor Oladipo, it would greatly help them. However, even without him, they are still a championship-caliber squad, and it’ll be interesting to see how far they get this postseason.
