MIAMI Heat star Jimmy Butler has thrown shade at the team’s president during his seven-game suspension.
The disgruntled NBA star is currently suspended for requesting a trade from the Heat.
Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler stands on the court during an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans on New Year’s Day[/caption]
Butler posted a few clips on his Instagram Stories displaying a barista at his coffee shop BIGFACE in Miami[/caption]
Butler appeared to slam a highly influential Heat front office member during the social media videos[/caption]
On Friday, Butler posted a few videos on his Instagram Stories that revealed him working at his coffee shop BIGFACE in Miami.
In one of the clips, the six-time NBA All-Star went up to one of his baristas and patted him on the back after pouring a cup of coffee.
“See, I gave you a compliment,” Butler said to the worker after patting him on the back.
“That’s what bosses do.
“They build you up, they don’t break you down.”
After delivering his last line, Butler looked directly at the camera and smiled before giving a “thumbs up” as the video ended.
Butler’s veiled message seemed to be aimed toward Heat president Pat Riley whose relationship with Butler has been tense since the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Heat announced last week that they suspended Butler seven games for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.
The suspension followed reports of Butler’s disappointment with the franchise and his statement the previous day that he didn’t believe he could be happy playing in Miami.
Miami did confirm that Butler had requested a trade and that the team would listen to offers.
Butler and Riley’s feud seemingly began last May when the latter said, “If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks you should keep your mouth shut on the criticism of those teams.”
The comments came during a press conference and were about Butler suggesting the Heat could’ve beaten the Boston Celtics and Knicks in the playoffs last season if he was healthy.
Butler missed the 2024 NBA playoffs after an MCL sprain he suffered during a play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 35-year-old Butler is currently in his 14th season and his sixth with the Heat.
He has made the All-Star team twice with Miami, and he has twice led the franchise to the NBA Finals.
However, success has been hard to come by since the Heat’s last trip to the Finals in 2023.
Miami was a one-and-done team in the playoffs last year, and are just 19-17 so far this season.
Butler – who is a free agent after the end of the season – could land on another team before the trade deadline.
The small forward has an efficient 55.2 field goal percentage and 37.5 percent from three-point range, but his 17.6 points per game is the lowest mark since the 2013-14 campaign.
Heat team president Pat Riley[/caption]
