Jimmy Butler is not making life straightforward for the Miami Heat. He is willing to make everyone within the organization as uncomfortable as possible until he gets what he wants, which is to be traded to a contender (except Memphis). And Butler might’ve taken it just as far as he can.
That’s So Random With Grace Byers & Jerrie Johnson
According to ESPN, the six-time NBA All-Star was suspended indefinitely without pay on Monday (Jan. 27) after storming out of practice.
Butler’s frustration reportedly stemmed from the Heat brass’ decision to have Haywood Highsmith, Butler’s backup, replace him in the starting lineup for their Monday game against the Orlando Magic.
This marks the third time the Heat have suspended Butler in the last month and this latest one was handed down just as the 35-year-old star forward was set to return from his second suspension this season.
The Heat said in a statement, “The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard for team rules, conduct detrimental to the team, and intentionally withholding services. This includes walking out of practice earlier today.”
Naturally, Butler couldn’t aid but bring his frustration to social media, and started to joke about his recent suspension.
In one post on Instagram, Butler shared multiple clips from the 1990s sitcom “Martin,” where characters joked that Tommy Strawn did not have a job, despite his charm and good looks.
Fellow Heat veteran Kevin Love has also joined in on the troll job of the organization, as he also as joked on social media about Butler’s frustrations with the team
On Monday, in a post on IG, he shared a clip from the iconic “King Kong” scene from “Training Day” and wrote in the caption, “Jimmy immediately after hearing he wasn’t in the starting lineup…#haywoodhighsmithoverme???”
The Heat shouldn’t be shocked by Butler’s behavior. In October 2018, when Butler was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he called out the entire front office during a scrimmage with teammates.
Reportedly, after the scrimmage, he yelled at then-Wolves GM Scott Layden, saying, “You f***king need me, Scott. You can’t win without me.”
