Jimmy Butler returned from his suspension Friday night in Michael Jordan-like fashion.
No, not on the court, where the Miami Heat star had an unremarkable 18 points in a blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets. But less than two hours before the game, his agent, Bernard Lee, issued a statement via X on behalf of Butler.
“I’m back.”
That was the entire statement: “I’m back.” The same two-word statement Michael Jordan made through agent David Falk in March 1995 when he returned to the NBA after 17 months of retirement.
For immediate release… pic.twitter.com/GiQ3Gr4URy
— Bernard Lee (@BernieoLee) January 17, 2025
It was a remarkably tone-deaf statement, from both Butler and his agent, given the drama surrounding the six-time All-Star and the Heat. The team suspended Butler for seven games Jan. 3 for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.”
The team’s statement at the time said officials were listening to trade offers for Butler, who has said he wants out of Miami so he can “get my joy back.”
Even the effort to trade Butler has led to unexpected drama. Last month, Lee called out ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania for reporting Butler had added the Phoenix Suns to his list of preferred trade destinations. Lee called Charania’s report “complete and utter made-up bullshit.”
So for Butler to make his return with such a pretentious “I’m back” statement seemed ill-advised at best. Oh, and he also posted Instagram photos of himself wearing the No. 45 jersey Jordan wore when he first returned to the NBA.
After the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra preemptively shut down reporters looking for an angle on the Butler drama.
“I know what storylines you’re looking for,” Spoelstra said. “I’m not feeding into any of that tonight. We got our asses kicked.”
While Spoelstra didn’t want to address the Butler situation, plenty of fans had something to say on social media about his “I’m back” statement.
There are sure to be more developments before the Butler era ends in Miami.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.