For the first time since joining the Golden State Warriors, Jimmy Butler is playing in his first game at the Miami Heat‘s Kaseya Center. Despite the conditions of his exit, the Heat gave Butler a full tribute video complete with a highlight of his top moments with the franchise.
The Heat’s video for Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/g3mbdr6nVO
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) March 25, 2025
Butler’s time with the Heat was mostly positive, and he embodied much of the culture they were trying to create. So while there are still moments the fans can be grateful for, many of them resorted to boos, believing that Butler didn’t deserve to be honored because of how he left the team.
Butler’s reaction was much more polite. After the video, he stood up and acknowledged the crowd in an intense and emotionally mixed moment on the court.
Jimmy Butler tribute video from the Heat as he shows his gratitude. Mix of cheers and boos. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/Pkh1P1iFua
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 25, 2025
It’s no secret that Butler’s real problem was with Pat Riley, and he made it clear before the game that he had no desire to reconnect with the legendary Miami Heat President.
“I have nothing to say to Pat, and Pat better have nothing to say to me,” said Butler.
The whole thing started last summer, when the Heat failed to offer Butler a contract extension. At the same time, Pat Riley was criticizing Jimmy publicly after a first-round loss in the NBA playoffs. As trade rumors began to circulate around Butler, he felt unwanted and unappreciated on the Heat, which is ultimately when he decided to cut ties with the franchise altogether.
What followed was weeks of chaos and dysfunction as Butler tried to force his way out. He played lifelessly on the court during games and failed to show up on time for team activities. Things got so bad that the Heat felt the need to suspend Jimmy on two separate occasions.
Looking back, Butler has no regrets over his actions, and he says the legendary “Heat culture” is actually overplayed. Now, Jimmy is on the Golden State Warriors, where he’s hoping to finally win his first NBA championship.
Alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Butler has been the perfect fit, and he’s maximizing the Warriors’ potential on both ends of the floor. In 19 games for the Warriors this season, Jimmy is averaging 17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists on 43.8% shooting.
As a team, the Warriors went from fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament to being just three games back from the third seed in the West. Butler’s arrival has brought life back to the Warriors, and he believes he’s found his permanent basketball home.
Unfortunately for Jimmy, his return to the Kaseya Center did not result in a win. Without Curry in the game, Butler only scored 11 points, and the Warriors struggled to score, resulting in an ugly blowout loss (their second straight).
Overall, however, the Warriors are in a much better spot than the Heat, who are down to 10th in the standings after a recent 10-game losing streak. It’s easy to say that Butler is better off in Golden State, but that’s also what we said about the Heat before it all went wrong.
Despite everything, the franchise still gave Butler a tribute video in his first visit back to town, showing some appreciation for what he was able to accomplish there. Of course, the fans aren’t nearly as forgiving, and they will not soon forget the way Jimmy turned his back on their organization.
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