Did Jimmy Butler leave Philly because of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid? Butler says no.
A lot has been made of Jimmy Butler’s past.
His “bad guy, team killer” narrative has followed him ever since his final season in Chicago.
In Philadelphia, however, Butler appeared at home. His uncompromising work ethic lined up with the city’s blue-collar identity and Sixers fans embraced him for it. So when he decided to take his talents to South Beach, a soured relationship with All-Stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid had to be the only explanation, right? Wrong.
“I didn’t have a problem with either one of them,” Butler told the magazine. “Still talk to those dudes. I wish them the absolute best. A career of great health, make as much money as you can, win as many championships as you can. I did not have a problem with any of those guys. It just didn’t work the way that we wanted it to work. That’s life. Not everything pans out the way you want it to pan out. But you learn and you move on from it.”
This probably comes as news to a lot of people, especially Philly fans. Butler told Yahoo Sports in November that some Sixers’ inability to match his relentless work ethic led to his exit. Many interpreted that as a shot at Simmons or even fellow Sixer Tobias Harris.
“Everybody don’t work like that. That’s just what it is,” Butler said of his work ethic at the time. “... Is there something wrong with it? No, there’s not... Is everybody playing this game for a championship? ... [Some guys are playing for] the money, the houses, the cars, the fame.“
Hearing Butler say his relationship with Philly’s two All-Stars didn’t influence the move to Miami somewhat substantiates the reports that the Sixers front office didn’t offer him a five-year max contract. If that’s indeed true, the Sixers might look foolish come April. Butler has flourished with Heat, which currently own the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, while the Sixers have disappointed and claim the fifth spot.
A juicy playoff match up could be on the horizon. And if the regular season has any bearing, don’t expect a repeat of 2018.
