In some ways, he’s underrated, but Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is one of the NBA’s most capable scorers and players overall.
He has also become known over the last few years for his leadership qualities and for being one of the game’s deadliest players come crunch time.
One cannot achieve that level of productivity when a game is on the line without an incredible work ethic, and former big man Joakim Noah said Butler is so committed to his craft that he would go entire summers without watching any television.
"The sacrifices that he made in the summers were just unbelievable. People don't know this, but he was going whole summers no TV."
Joakim Noah on Jimmy Butler's INSANE work ethic during his offseasons 🤯
(via @PardonMyTake)pic.twitter.com/YgidCt2DuM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 15, 2023
Noah played five seasons with Butler on the Chicago Bulls, so he got an up close and personal look at the forward during his formative years.
Early on, Butler wasn’t exactly a candidate for the “most likely to succeed” award.
He was the No. 30 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but he failed to average double digits in scoring in his first two pro seasons.
But during the 2014-15 season, he averaged 20.0 points a game and got his first of four consecutive All-Star nods.
Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, and it was there that he accused teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins of being soft.
The forward was accused by some of being a malcontent and a toxic influence, but ever since coming to Miami, he has been lauded for being the type of no-nonsense leader he is.
In his first season with the Heat, they reached the NBA Finals a year after missing the playoffs, and they got to the championship series again this past season.
He has proven that he is nothing less than a star and a positive influence on and off the court.
NEXT: Video Shows Jimmy Butler Getting Shots Up At Surprising Location
