Jimmy Butler wants more brawls in the NBA: 'I wish they'd let us do that a little bit' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler is known for his intensity on the court. Two years ago, a photo of him exhausted after a match in the 2020 NBA Finals was one of the top-viewed of the season. This year, he wants to take it up a notch even more.

Jimmy Butler

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In his interview for Complex, Butler was asked a number of questions both about the NBA in the past and the NBA now. Is there a lack of intense rivalries in today's game? Butler disagrees.

"I just think the game has changed in a lot of ways.", the Miami Heat guard noted. "They’re not letting you get into no brawls no more. Nobody’s going to let you do that. I wish that they would let us do that a little bit if I’m just being honest."

"The game has just changed. It’s not as much banging and knocking people to the ground anymore," Butler continued. "You can’t do it like that—you get a flagrant 1, a flagrant 2, a tech, something. I wish it would go back to that time."

Jimmy Butler in 2020 NBA FinalsCredit AFP - Scanpix

Is Jokic brothers vs. Miami a rivalry? Butler hardly thinks so but has great respect for Nikola Jokic's game.

"I don’t think that’s a rivalry," the 32-year-old says. "It sounds good. But I don’t even want to get into it. He’s a hell of a player."

Butler is a big fan of legendary footballer Ronaldinho. If he could have a beer with any athlete, current or past, he would undoubtedly choose him.

"I would say Ronaldinho. For one, I think soccer is just so incredibly difficult," Butler explains. "All sports are difficult, but I can barely walk and chew bubblegum, so to be able to run full speed while kicking a ball is incredibly difficult and I wish I could do it."

"He’s from Brazil, man. He’s just so much fun to watch whenever I watch his highlights," the Heat superstar continued. "A Michelob Ultra with him—I bet he’s got hella stories.

Butler is also big on investing and cryptocurrencies. Although the topic is huge in current times, he got his influence from a rather unusual source. The source? League veteran Andre Iguodala.

"The dude is a genius in more ways than one," Butler says. "Obviously, basketball talent, yeah. Overall, good dude. Great dad. But it’s like, if you have any question about crypto or what to invest in, that’s who you pick up the phone and talk to."

Jimmy Butler is the cornerstone of the Miami Heat team. The player averages 21.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists during the match this season. Butler has been name an All-Star as a reserve.

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