Buckets’ exit from Miami was box office. The NBA world went on, and the Cavs and Thunder kept dominating their conferences- but forward Jimmy Butler‘s situation at the Heat couldn’t get any hotter. All the protests, media frenzies, and public outbursts led to him moving to the Warriors, where he’s been in terror. He suddenly finds himself returning to the Kaseya, this time a part of the Dub Nation. But does that faze him? Absolutely not.

Heat faithful have a weird love-hate relationship with the man. Butler admitted to all but hating the latter portions of his time there, which would infuriate any fan with a burning passion. But he took them to playoff heights that they’d never been to before. They’re closer to the bottom of the table than they are to the two NBA Finals he carried them to. And according to his own admission, the teams around him were just ‘aight’. So his value in the team was unprecedented- which speaks volumes of their form after his departure.

Well, it’s just been confirmed that the ‘Aights’ are due to play a tribute video for their former starman. This is to happen during the time Golden State’s lineups are announced at the Kaseya at around 7:29. Jimmy’s mentioned this multiple times, but he’s indifferent to his perception in the Magic City. “Yeah, I’ll watch. If they have one,” Butler said. “If they don’t, It makes no difference. It really doesn’t.” Based on how he is as a person, we all know that this nonchalant side of Buckets is just a facade. Returning to where he had the most successful period of his life is bound to affect him.

One thing is clear- this is just another game to him. His main focus is to continue the Warriors‘ impressive track record and get them into the playoffs. Was his exit a bit over the top? Maybe. But the Heat had known this side of him for a long time. And they got a taste of it recently when he talked about openly defying orders during his time at the Heat and the 76ers.

A breakdown of Jimmy Butlers’ scathing remarks over Heat exit

His time in Florida had confirmed one thing- Jimmy Butler is a wild animal, and wild animals aren’t meant to be tamed. You can imagine how he would’ve felt the first time he faced such a situation, which came in his sole season with the Sixers. Apparently, the higher-ups wanted to control him. Them realizing they couldn’t was what led to his transfer to Miami. You know what they learned? For success, you have to let your main men thrive in freedom. Well, Jimmy led Miami to two Eastern Conference titles and two subsequent Finals appearances. Philly at the same time? Neck deep in mediocrity.

“You can’t control grown men in this line of work. You can try, but I’m going to do what I want to do. I’m going to show up. I’m going to compete and I’m going to help us win,” said Butler about the controlling nature of his former orgs. Notice how I said ‘orgs’, plural. This was a dig at Pat Riley as well.

When Anthony Slater of the Athletic interviewed him, he spilled all the beans Walmart has ever offered. He asked Jimmy if a meeting with Miami Heat president Pat Riley at the end of the 2023/24 season could’ve changed his mind. His response? “I think the suspensions are more because they just didn’t want me to be around the team. It wasn’t anything I actually did because I didn’t do anything too drastic to deserve X amount of games being suspended. But it is what it is.”

What’s for sure is that his performance against Miami will be a spectacle. If he switches on the force of nature we know he can be, the Heat are destined to lose their 10th game in 11. He claims he’s unaffected by what’s to come. But that tribute video is certain to touch a nerve and remind him of the good times he had in Florida for 6 years. Will he still be able to keep up his standards then?