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Unfazed by Backlash on MVP Result, Jimmy Butler Dwells Into Turning His Back on 2x-NBA All-Star

Published 06/01/2023, 12:30 PM EDT

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Wherever you go, you hear his name. The name being Jimmy Butler. From the Miami Heat‘s shocking victory against the top-seeded Bucks to their coronation as the Eastern Conference Champions, Butler has been giving his blood and sweat for Miami. On the back of his playoff heroics, the 6x-NBA All-Star had won the ECF MVP award. Nonetheless, Butler’s MVP win has been challenged by many hoops enthusiasts. However, the Heat superstar seems to be unfazed by the backlash as he has his eyes on a higher prize.

Following the ECF win, Jimmy Butler has turned heads for another reason other than the MVP win as well. The 33-year-old turned his back on a fellow teammate during the moment of celebration. Now, Butler has revealed why he rejected the 2x-NBA All-Star.

Jimmy Butler reveals why he rejected his teammate after the ECF win

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Last season, Jimmy Butler and Miami lost the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics in Game 7. This time around, Miami had the perfect revenge by seizing the ECF trophy in front of a raucous Boston crowd. The entire Heat camp was having a moment of redemption, a moment of mirth. Butler’s fellow teammate, Bam Adebayo passed the ECF Winner’s trophy to him. However, Butler turned his back on the 2x-NBA All-Star. The 33-year-old even refused to touch it. But Jimmy Butler has a reason for it.

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In his recent interview with NBA Today host Malika Andrews, Jimmy Butler was asked about him refusing to touch the ECF trophy. “I play for Mr. O’Brien… You can make the All-Stars. You can take the All-NBA. Couldn’t care less. All-Defensive Team. Don’t care. I really only want to win a championship,” said Jimmy Butler. Butler added that he did not mean any disrespect towards Bam Adebayo. Besides, he also said that he won’t play for the Finals MVP award as well. Basketball Network has posted Butler’s confident words on Facebook.

Jimmy Butler proclaimed that he cares less about every other prize other than a ring, shortly after he was chosen as the ECF MVP. Butler might not have played to win that award, however, the MVP result has widely been contested by many.

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Jimmy Butler’s ECF MVP win gets contested by NBA buffs

Jimmy Butler unleashed the beat in him during the series against the Bucks. However, the Semi-Finals and the Conference Finals did not witness a similar version of the Heat superstar. Fellow Heat star Caleb Martin rose to the occasion during those matchups and fought hard for Miami. Apparently, many believed that Martin deserved the ECF MVP award. The belief was reflected in the voting as well. Caleb Martin lost the award to Jimmy Butler by one vote. When the result got out, quite a lot of fans sided with Martin.

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From now on, however, the Heat’s ECF win and Butler’s MVP win are all stories of the past. Just like Butler said, now is the time for him and his teammates to go for the higher prize. If things go well for Miami, they will be the first ever team to win the silverware as the eighth seeds. Jimmy Butler and co. will surely be determined to get that closure for what can be called one of the greatest underdog stories in sport.

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Written by:

Krishna Prasad M

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Krishna Prasad is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He holds professional qualifications in English and Journalism from reputed institutions. As a trained reporter, Krishna's intense passion for sports writing prompted him to become an NBA journalist.
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Edited by:

Debmallya Chakraborty