Jimmy Butler Calls “Luka” to Save Face After Embarrassing Himself Twice

When shooting your shot, sometimes you need more than skill and talent. A lucky charm, perhaps. A word that you hope will somehow guide the ball to make it through the hoop. For a very long time, that word to many people was “Kobe!”

Shouting out the Lakers legend’s name has been a long-followed tradition before shooting as it calls back to this accuracy and sharpness when making a shot. Now though, Miami Heat forward, Jimmy Butler seems to have a new version of this.

Jimmy Butler has a new lucky charm

In a story posted to his Instagram, Jimmy Butler is seen shooting a mini basketball in a training room. He first warms up with a shot, which he misses. He tries another shot, and… once again he misses. Finally, the 34-year-old employs the tactic and shouts “Luka” just as he shoots the ball.

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And it immediately goes through the hoop! Butler can’t help but throw in a “Told you”. Seems like the 24-year-old Dallas Mavericks guard is the new lucky charm for Butler. And from the looks of it, it seems like the forward is preparing for their next game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Maybe he will again shout Luka’s name before making shots in the game? Guess we will have to wait and watch.

The history behind shouting Kobe

In season 1, episode 12 of the Chapelle Show, Dave Chapelle can be seen shouting “Kobe” before throwing a piece of scrap into the garbage can. And he immediately makes the shot. This was the start of this tradition. It has now transcended over the years and generations.

What was once mostly used among NBA fans is now popular amongst everybody, especially among gamers. What once began as a joke has now become a sort of homage to the legend. In the wake of his death in 2020, many people, including NBA players, paid tribute to Kobe Bryant by shouting out his name anytime they threw the ball or any object.

It is a throwback to the extreme skills exhibited by Kobe throughout his career spanning two decades. Although he may not be physically present amongst us, his legacy lives on through the coming generations with this one single tradition.

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