Jimmy Butler’s decision to not play and demand a trade from the Miami Heat seems to be working out well for him so far. Since being traded to Golden State, he has started off strong, averaging 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal per game in four appearances.
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Ironically, another player who was traded from Golden State to Miami in the mid-1990s, Tim Hardaway Sr., had a lot to say about the drama surrounding Butler’s departure. On Tuesday, during a SiriusXM Radio show, Hardaway voiced his disappointment in how Butler handled the situation.
“I didn’t agree with what he was doing. You’re under contract,” the three-time All-NBA selection said. “You’re a baby. You’re a crybaby because they said ‘No’ to you. We used to get told ‘No’ all the time, and we knew how to take it. It is what it is. It’s a question—you get a yes or a no. You might not like the answer, but you can’t deviate and mess up the team.”
There are 30 years between the Butler and Hardaway Sr. trades, and much has changed within the NBA and society as a whole. Players now have significantly more power and influence, largely due to the massive contracts they sign. Thirty years ago, Butler’s antics could have very well led to him being blackballed from the NBA.
But times have changed, and now this drama should be behind both Butler and the Miami Heat. However, this situation will likely remain a stain on a franchise that prides itself on professionalism and stability.
