Jimmy Butler doesn’t have fond memories of his short stint with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Miami Heat star joined the Sixers via a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves after starting last season on rocky footing. He played 55 games under Brett Brown, teaming up with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to help the team to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. But he left for South Beach in the summer following rumors of discord within the squad.
Jimmy maintains he had a good relationship with everyone in Philly but, speaking on a recent episode of former teammate JJ Redick’s podcast this week, accused the team of lacking leadership.
“Hell yeah, it was difficult,” Butler said of his time with the Sixers. “It was so different, and on any given day, me as a person, as a player, I didn’t know who the f**k was in charge. I think that was my biggest thing. I didn’t know what the f**k to expect whenever I would go into the gym, whenever I’d go into the plane, whenever I’d go into the game. I was like: ‘Man.’ I think I was as lost as the next motherf**ker.”
Butler has cut a much happier figure since joining the Heat and, so far his only real bust-up has been with a player from another team. The Heat are also much improved since acquiring Butler, who has had a remarkable impact on their youngsters and, by extension, their results.
As for leadership, you always know who’s in charge when you’re in Miami. That’s one thing no one can ever accuse the Heat of lacking.
