At the heart of these 2023 playoffs where they continue to thwart the forecasts, the players of Miami seem more united and close than ever. In the team, cohesion seems to be in good shape and everyone gives the impression of moving in the same direction, behind a Jimmy Butler of gala.
Stronger than ever, the 33-year-old winger has established himself as the franchise’s perfect leader since arriving in Florida in 2019 and today he is one of those who best embodies this ” Heat culture”, so dear to Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra and so many others in the organization.
But, beyond his only performances on the floor, Jimmy Butler also excels when it comes to setting the mood in the locker room. In particular thanks to his prowess in a very particular field: music.
” I’m a bit like the DJ [de l’équipe]so I can choose the music we listen to », does he appreciate about this, in the columns of ESPN.
A versatile DJ, above all a country lover
So much so that there is now only one person in charge of the enclosure in the Florida group. Whether his choices are pleasing or not…
“ Usually, when you hear loud music, you know it’s him, no matter what’s playing at the same time. “, confides for example Duncan Robinsonwho has been with him for nearly four years.
” Without lying, there are times when something happens that I don’t even know, but that I appreciate. So I ‘shazame’ the track and find out what it’s all about “, admits the rookie, Nikola Jovic.
As a good Texan of origin, him the native of Houston, Jimmy Butler is in any case a big fan of country music since always, never missing an opportunity to show it, especially when he arrives at the room wearing a pair of boots. A fine connoisseur, his love for this musical style has even rubbed off on some of his teammates in Miami…
” country music “, respond Udonis Haslem, when he evokes the influence of the six-time All-Star in this register. ” [Grâce à lui]it’s really the first time I’ve taken the time to listen to it. »
From Tina Turner before Game 5
” I’ve heard more country music since I’ve been here than in my first nine years in the league combined, so I really appreciate him being our DJ. », book on his side Cody Zelleralso a fan of this type of music.
But Jimmy Butler’s musical repertoire does not only revolve around country and, as on the floor, he plays it “all-around” at this level. This Thursday, we heard Tina Turner at the shootaround, the day after the death of the singer.
” He listens to everything and, although it can also be the case with other people, some are not brave enough to [balancer leur musique] deep in the locker room », admits Gabe Vincent. “ His tastes are quite wide and varied, you never really know what he’s going to play. I think I’m the same, so it doesn’t surprise me, but it has to be him [le DJ]. »
” As a DJ you have to be versatile, you have to be able to please different people “Said Udonis Haslem.
” He plays anything and everything, but what honestly surprises me is that anything he can get to play pre-game allows him to get going, get into his game “, even concedes Max Strus. ” You never know what he’s going to send: sometimes it’s Miley Cyrus, sometimes it’s Justin Bieber, sometimes it’s Rick Ross… »
In “musical influencer” mode
More than playing music, playing the luxury “ambiencers”, Jimmy Butler also strives to explain them to his teammates when necessary. Both to enrich their personal culture and to allow them to see this universe, and its words, from a new angle.
” He just explained the song to me “, recalls Udonis Haslem, compared to a title of the metal group Nickelback, heard at the exit of defeat in Orlando, mid-March. ” Often the reason people criticize [une chanson], it’s because they don’t understand her or they don’t give her the chance to be listened to. They just criticize her directly. Except, when [Jimmy] began to explain to me what [le leader du groupe] wanted to say and as I leaned over it, everything made sense. »
But Udonis Haslem isn’t the only Heat player Jimmy Butler has influenced musically.
” He’s the only artist played by Jimmy that I gravitated around. This one is Jimmy [qui me l’a fait découvrir] “, thus indicates a Bam Adebayo grateful, in reference to Dermot Kennedy, an Irish singer-songwriter.
On arrival, beyond posting good results with his team, Jimmy Butler is therefore very proud to have contributed to enriching the musical knowledge of his teammates. With, incidentally, people — such as Matt Stell, a country singer — with whom he is close in everyday life.
” It means a lot to me, because now I can introduce them to my friends “, he rejoices. “ They are people I have relationships with outside of music, so I will always support them. All good people need to hear good music and that’s one of the reasons we win: we listen to my friends. »
“ [Il peut jouer] everything he needs to keep doing what he does. »
Regarding his habits as a DJ, Jimmy Butler readily admits that what he sends into the locker room or the room is never really anticipated and that nothing is dictated by any context.
” You can play gospel, country, hip-hop or nothing, I’m still gonna hit the court and be the best player I can be “, he recalls, about his permanent state of mind.
And that nobody tries especially to upset the Florida leader, by lowering the music or by criticizing his tastes!
” He makes all the decisions and I don’t think he takes any remarks “, adds Cody Zeller, which confirms Max Strus. ” It’s his music, his moment and, when he’s on the decks, we let him do it, we follow the rhythm. »
In the end, any Heat player will accept this kind of “musical dictatorship” as long as Jimmy Butler shines like he does now…
“ [Il peut jouer] everything he needs to keep doing what he does “, laughs Max Strus, referring to the 29.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals average of his teammate, in the playoffs.
| Jimmy Butler | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2011-12 | CHI | 42 | 9 | 40.5 | 18.2 | 76.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2012-13 | CHI | 82 | 26 | 46.7 | 38.1 | 80.3 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.6 |
| 2013-14 | CHI | 67 | 39 | 39.7 | 28.3 | 76.9 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 13.1 |
| 2014-15 | CHI | 65 | 39 | 46.2 | 37.8 | 83.4 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2015-16 | CHI | 67 | 37 | 45.5 | 31.1 | 83.2 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 20.9 |
| 2016-17 | CHI | 76 | 37 | 45.5 | 36.7 | 86.5 | 1.7 | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 23.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIN | 59 | 37 | 47.4 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 22.2 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 65 | 34 | 46.2 | 34.7 | 85.5 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 18.7 |
| 2018-19 * | PHL | 55 | 33 | 46.1 | 33.8 | 86.8 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 18.2 |
| 2018-19 * | MIN | 10 | 36 | 47.1 | 37.8 | 78.7 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.3 |
| 2019-20 | MIA | 58 | 34 | 45.5 | 24.4 | 83.4 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 52 | 34 | 49.7 | 24.5 | 86.3 | 1.8 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 21.5 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 57 | 34 | 48.0 | 23.3 | 87.0 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 21.4 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 64 | 33 | 53.9 | 35.0 | 85.0 | 2.2 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 22.9 |
| Total | 754 | 33 | 46.8 | 32.2 | 84.2 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 18.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
