Jimmy Butler hoped the Heat fans would give him the same love Dwyane Wade recieved: “These fans are loyal to the soil” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The Miami Heat has long been synonymous with Wade County, courtesy of franchise legend Dwyane Wade. He played a vital role in each of their three NBA championships, carving a special place in the hearts of the fans. A benchmark Jimmy Butler hoped to achieve as well.
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Butler and the Heat joined forces ahead of the 2019-20 season, with Wade just having finished his farewell tour. In what resembled the passing of the torch, Butler looked forward to his new journey. He wished to build something special with the people of Miami and cement a legacy.
He understood the added responsibilities that came with representing the Miami franchise. Just one month into his tenure with the Heat, Butler was as candid as it gets about his experience.
“These fans are loyal to the soil, especially for D-Wade. Once you put on that uniform and you’ve battled for this city, they embrace you forever. The love that he got, that he damn well deserved, it was, that could be me one day. I don’t ever compare myself to that guy. I just love him as a human being. Hell of a basketball player. We all know. But he’s always looking out for me and trying to help me, that he made it easy. Man, if this organization, this city, helped D-Wade, in any way, I know it can help me tenfold,” stated Butler, who had just come off a Game 7 loss against the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors in the 2019 semi-finals with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Wade will always be Miami’s favorite child
Butler certainly knew what he signed up for when it came to emulating the aura Wade had in South Beach. The Heat selected D-Wade as the fifth pick in the 2003 draft.
His first legendary moment was the 2006 championship, where he was named Finals MVP after beating the Dallas Mavericks..
After 2010, Wade agreed to take a backseat, both on and off the court, giving the keys to LeBron James, while keeping the bigger picture in mind. As a result, the Heat added two more championship banners in 2012 and 2013. Unfortunately, his relationship with the Heat organization hit a rough patch in 2016.
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Wade signed with the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2016-17 season after multiple failed contract negotiations. A situation that team president Pat Riley felt he could have addressed better in hindsight.
Fortunately, destiny reunited them for one last dance in 2018.
Playoff Jimmy era in Miami
Butler undoubtedly lived up to the promise of meeting fan expectations in his first season. He surprised most of the basketball world, leading the underdog Heat team to the 2020 Finals. While Playoff Jimmy left everything on the floor, the Los Angeles Lakers were the better overall team as they won the title in six games.
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In the following years, Butler continued to be one of the best Heat players, especially during the postseason. Channeling his Playoff Jimmy mode, the 6’7″ forward put up some of the most iconic performances, etching his name alongside franchise greats like LeBron and D-Wade.
Clinching his second Finals appearance with the franchise in 2023, it was only downhill from there on. Things only got ugly with Butler and Riley publicly trading punches.
Not getting the desired extension, Jimmy forced his way out, ending things on an ugly note, as he got traded to the Golden State Warriors.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.