Jimmy Butler’s emo appearance at the Miami Heat’s media day caused the best reaction across the Internet. He’s never one to shy away from a comment or two, but he’s also known to have a little too much fun when you put a microphone in front of him.
In his latest chat with the media, Butler explained why he’s not happy with the Damian Lillard trade that sent the All-Star guard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I’m more pissed off that [Lillard] went to Milwaukee because he went to Adrian Griffin’s team. Everybody knows I don’t like Adrian Griffin at all. Since my Chicago days.”
"I'm more pissed off that [Damian Lillard] went to Milwaukee because he went to Adrian Griffin's team. Everybody knows I don't like Adrian Griffin at all. Since my Chicago days."
Jimmy Butler on the Heat missing out on Damian Lillard 👀
(via @wcgoldberg)pic.twitter.com/eyWAGEzbwa
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 4, 2023
The Bucks hired Griffin as their new head coach in June.
Naturally, social media thought Butler was trolling.
he's clearly trolling
— b l a k b l e a c h (@blakbleach) October 4, 2023
He’s trolling 😂
— Heat Diehards (@HeatDiehards) October 4, 2023
Lillard made it clear this summer he preferred to go to the Heat, so Butler had his hopes up. Perhaps that’s why the emo thing happened?
see now it makes sense why he did the emo thing
— alterNate (@herobasketball) October 4, 2023
Some had Butler’s back:
Tell ‘em Jimmy
— Lebron in 1 𝕏 (@Lebronin1) October 4, 2023
This appears to be a troll for sure, however. Unless something changed recently.
Butler was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2011 where Griffin was an assistant coach. Butler praised Griffin for being a major reason why he’s a successful player, especially for his work dealing with him as a young, complicated man.
“But I think Adrian Griffin had a lot because he had to deal with me just being unbearable,” Griffin said via Wisconsin Sports Heroics in June. “I think he has a lot to do with who I am.”
Griffin is a big reason why Butler is a superstar. Now, Griffin finds himself dealing with the star quality of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Never change, Butler. Never change.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.