“I never take anything for granted.” These words of Jimmy Butler, which he once said, still reflect who he is, more so, not the one who forgives easily. Yes, time heals everything, but some wounds leave scars that never truly fade. They might not hurt anymore, but they still serve as a reminder. The same could be said for Jimmy Butler. Probably the 76ers pulled the trigger a little too quickly by letting go of the veteran, choosing Tobias Harris over him. It didn’t cost Jimmy much, though. His move to Miami turned out to be a big win. But deep down, there’s no denying that a part of him felt the sting. And the past has a funny way of showing up, time and again.
On Saturday, the Warriors were up against the Pistons. Tobias Harris, who’s now playing in Detroit, was tasked with guarding Jimmy. With the score tied at 105 and under two minutes left, the game was on the verge of heading into overtime. But the 6x All-Star had other plans.
The ball was with Jimmy, who made a smooth move, outplaying the combo forward and sinking a clutch 2-pointer. As the camera zoomed in on his face, he was seen shaking his head, signaling a “no” disrespecting Tobias. This immediately caught the attention of eagle-eyed fans and they rushed to X, pointing out how Jimmy’s reaction was similar to his earlier unforgettable moment.
Back in 2022, the Heat eliminated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semis. After the victory, as Jimmy Butler walked back to the locker room, frustration took over. He couldn’t hold back, yelling with an NSFW comment that echoed through the halls of the Wells Fargo Center, “Tobias Harris over me?”
“Tobias Harris over me” pic.twitter.com/zI150BpBFl https://t.co/fRxY73g8FB
— Smiley (@30GotNext) March 9, 2025
Jimmy and Tobias were teammates in Philly. Though it was for a very short period, it ended on a sour note, thanks to the franchise. Instead of offering Jimmy a max contract, the Sixers traded him and handed Tobias a five-year deal. That didn’t sit well with Jimmy Butler and had a lasting impact on him that he still couldn’t get over.
But Jimmy’s in his happy place now, playing a key role in sealing the Pistons game with a 115-110 win. The Warriors are also thrilled with him emerging as a crucial piece alongside Stephen Curry. But did they forget about their popular star, Jonathan Kuminga? Not exactly, but it seems his future is still in question with how Steve Kerr chose to clarify things.
Steve Kerr sheds light on Jonathan Kuminga’s Future with Jimmy Butler
Jonathan Kuminga’s topic came up during the post-game press conference on Saturday, as reporters asked Kerr how he would fit into the squad with Jimmy Butler because a lot has changed in his over two-month absence. “I don’t like these hard-hitting questions like this,” the head coach said. “It’s a really difficult thing when you are playing really well, and then you have a key guy coming back. It’s always tough.”
So, how will Kerr manage to get both of them playing together? The 4x championship-winning coach has a plan chalked out. “I think the idea is just bring him along slowly,” he revealed. “You know, play them in short bursts.”
Kuminga sprained his ankle in early January and has been ruled out since. However, Kerr has expressed optimism about his return, noting that the 22-year-old’s “conditioning is getting there.” While he couldn’t provide a specific timeline, Kerr added, “Should be soon, and we’re excited to get him back.” Now, when he returns, whether Kerr’s plan will work out for Kuminga, Jimmy, and, most importantly, the Warriors, remains a question still up in the air.
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