Jimmy Butler just finished his best NBA season to date in the Orlando bubble. The veteran swingman landed in a Miami Heat team with little to no expectations at the start of the season and led them all the way through the NBA Finals, which they ultimately lost against the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers. Butler’s story has been a great example that you decide who you want to be no matter how hard things get.
He is now one of the biggest stars in the NBA after that impressive run with the Heat in the bubble, but Jimmy didn’t always perceive himself that way. He did fight very hard to become the good player he is right now but it wasn’t like he knew or believe he was going to become a star. Back in 2014, while he was still with the Chicago Bulls, Butler claimed he wasn’t a star, he was just a ‘really good role player in a really good team.’
During the first month of action of the 2014/15 season, Butler was posting really good numbers, earning the praise of Tom Thibodeau. However, he didn’t feel himself as a star, even though he was having outstanding performances.
“I’m not a star,” the then 25-year-old told ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “I’m a good role player on a really, really good team. A really, really deep team. I like role players. ‘Star’ has never been next to Jimmy Butler’s name, it never will be. I’ll always be just an under-the-radar dog.”
Flash forward we find that Jimmy is really a top dog. He proved he can be the leader of a winning team after having struggling seasons with the Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers. He found his place in the world in Miami and as long as they have Jimmy on the roster, the Heat will have a chance to compete against anybody in the NBA.
