“You can’t call me a loser”

a year ago, Jimmy Butler was surprised to find out that The Heat leaders didn’t want to extend it. The one who fancied himself as the head of the team and the guarantor of this “Heat Culture”, discovered the business acumen of Pat Riley. What’s next? Months of melodrama, with suspensions, finally moving to the Warriors during the “trade deadline”.

“All this noise, all this chaos has paid off in a big way” Butler records todayextended this summer by more than $120 million. “I’m lucky to be a part of this phenomenal organization…Everything starts out good, then someone has to be the bad guy, and it ends up being me…I feel like I’m suddenly doing something unbearable…But that’s okay. I’m happy to play in this amazing league, with great teammates.”

A well-defined hierarchy

In passing, he sends a small jab at his former team: “They have only one goal here: to keep hanging more banners up there. There are no hidden agendas.” Listening to him, Butler found a situation in Chicago where he was a lieutenant and it suited him perfectly.

“Everyone knows their role, he continues. We know Steph is “the boss,” and that’s fine with us. Depending on the evening, I might be another option. (Jonathan Kuminga) can be another. (Draymond Green) can be the second. But we know who is number one, and our job is to help him. »

At the age of 36, he has a nice contract extension: $121 million in two years. This is more than what the Heat could have offered him a year ago. If all goes well, Butler will be able to finish his career in peace, in a team where the hierarchy is clear. All with their children by their side, who were in Florida last spring.

Ego and colors…

“I don’t have an ego. I’m not the No. 1 option, and that’s fine with me – I know my role, repeats Butler. I know who I am as a person. I know who I am as a basketball player, as a businessman. I know my role. What should I do? Drai, Steph, Steve — tell me what you need. That’s what it means to be a veteran. That’s what winning is all about. But above all, it is the knowledge that ego leads nowhere. Ego is the enemy. »

The goal: to win this title that eludes him, after two NBA Finals losses in 2020 and 2023. “I’ve never won one, but you can’t call me a loser. I’ve won everywhere I’ve been. I don’t care how many points or shots I have. Just tell me what I need to do to win.” he concludes.