Jimmy Butler began Miami Heat career in Little Havana. What to know about his other side
What else is there to know about Jimmy Butler other than he almost single-handedly led the Miami Heat to an improbable playoff game victory against the mighty Milwaukee Bucks?
We can think of a few things that make him go.
Off the court
Miami tour: After Butler signed with the Heat in 2019, he went on a tour of Miami, starting with Little Havana. His day began with Cuban coffee, no sugar, at Los Pinarenos. He ended the day playing at dominoes at Domino Park.
Coffee business: Butler is behind the BigFace brand of coffee. He started the business, following his obsession with coffee, inside the NBA’s Disney World bubble during the pandemic. Last year, Butler brought his BigFace coffee brand to the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. A stand sold his coffee in the player-dining and some VIP areas at the tennis tournament.
Quote: “I think when it’s coming from one professional athlete to another and they see me constantly drinking BigFace coffee, they know I wouldn’t put any B.S. in my body,” Butler said to The Associated Press about bringing BigFace to the Miami Open. “And I know everybody’s so cognizant of what they put in their body as a professional athlete in whatever sport. I just want to help put the best in front of you and you take it and run with it if you choose.”
Jimmy Butler’s background
Hometown: Butler is from Houston, Texas.
Life: Lived in foster homes starting at age 13.
College: Tyler Junior College, Marquette University.
Rookie season: Chicago Bulls.
Other teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers.
Olympics: Won gold medal with 2016 with U.S. team in Rio.
Nickname: Jimmy Buckets.
Miami Heat years
Family delay: Butler had a good reason to delay his debut with the Miami Heat in 2019. He missed the opener and the next few games to be at the birth of his daughter. “I think it’s like the worst-kept secret that’s out there right now why Jimmy missed the game. Jimmy is now a proud father. He has a baby daughter,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Everything has obviously just been unbelievable news in the last 24 hours. We’re thrilled for him and we’re really excited to add his daughter to our family.”
First contract: Butler signed a four-year, $142 million maximum contract with the Heat.
Butler at his introduction as a Miami Heat player: “To tell you the truth, it’s the culture that I hear about all the time,” Butler said when asked to explain his free agent decision to join the Heat. “The work that you put in every single day, the winning habits, the winning ways. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? I was excited to have an opportunity to come here, to be here. But when I kept hearing about this culture, I was like, ‘I need that in my life.’ “
Jimmy Butler’s fans
How it played out: A 12-year-old fan from Argentina traveled with his family to see Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler play. Cameras caught him holding a sign reading, “Dear Jimmy, we flew over 4,405 miles to see you play. Can we get a photo or a big face coffee?” But Butler was injured and didn’t play. The dejected fans had a happy ending, though, with the Heat and Butler arranging two meetings.
More about Jimmy Butler
▪ Young fans traveled 4,400 miles to see Jimmy Butler play. After missing game, he did this
▪ Jimmy Butler’s decision to join the Heat can be traced to Wade’s final game in Miami
▪ Jimmy Butler on joining Heat: ‘I kept hearing about this culture. I need that in my life.’
Jimmy Butler’s arrival with the Miami Heat
From the archives: The Heat’s acquisition of Jimmy Butler became official Saturday with the NBA moratorium coming to an end.
The attention now shifts toward this question: What is the Heat getting in Butler?
To start, Butler is a four-time All-Star who is preparing for his ninth NBA season. He turns 30 on Sept. 14. At 6-8 and 232 pounds, Butler is a wing player known for his ability to make an impact on both ends of the court.
“Jimmy’s leadership, tenacity, professionalism, defensive disposition and his ability to create his own shot will improve our roster immediately,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement to announce the addition of Butler. “Any time you can add a four-time All-Star to your roster, you make that move.”
