Golden State Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler will face off against his former team, the Miami Heat, on Tuesday night. The anticipation for the game is at an all-time high.
There doesn’t need to be any more added to the game; however, that’s not stopping Butler. Butler has already made some headlines as we approach the game, downplaying his time in Miami and taking shots at their key term, “Heat Culture.”
It’s been one thing after another as it gets closer to Tuesday. On Monday, however, Butler was asked about his Heat suspension early this season. Butler was blunt in his response, saying the team did not want him around.
“They just didn’t want me to be around the team. It was nothing that I did.”
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Butler was suspended three times by the Heat in January. The third time, the Heat suspended Butler for “a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services. This includes walking out of practice earlier today.”
Butler was going weary in Miami and wanted out. He eventually got what he wanted and was tarded to the Warriors prior to the trade deadline. Since his arrival in Golden State, the Warriors have established themselves as a threat and possible contenders for a title this season.
This will be a massive game for the Heat and their fans, but the 35-year-old is downplaying it.
“Going to be another game for me,” Butler said. “Another game that we’re expected to win, for sure. So, we better figure it out.”
On top of that, Butler appears to be tired of being asked about his tenure in Miami.
“Yeah, I was traded from there, yada, yada, yada,” Butler said. “Yeah, it didn’t end the way that people wanted to, yada yada yada. But that’s so far behind me now. I don’t even think about it. I don’t pay attention to nothing except for the trajectory of this squad.”
Butler is never one to shy away from anything, but he appears to be tired of this Heat talk. It doesn’t help that the Warriors have two days off prior to the game.
The Warriors-Heat matchup will be nationally televised on TNT.
More news: Drake Claims Michael Jordan Lost $20K on Ping Pong Because He Couldn’t Stop Gambling
Warriors to Sign Former NBA Lottery Pick Just Before Postseason
Lakers Insider Reveals Big Roster Changes Could Be Coming Before Postseason
For more NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.