Jimmy Butler is rapidly establishing himself in other countries because to his passion for international sports, even though he may not have the cache of LeBron James or Steph Curry.
Thanks to its international talent pool and convenient accessibility for aspirational youths, basketball already has a strong argument for being the second-biggest sport in the world after football.
Butler is positioning himself among the best, but his repertoire is lacking one important element.
Butler, a six-time all-star, has never won the NBA championship, something he hopes to change in his 13th season in the league.
Butler, who was selected first overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2011, is now playing for the increasingly well-liked Miami Heat and is returning for another shot at the championship.
A number of international sports stars, some possibly far more well-known in the UK, will be supporting him every step of the way.
The most notable of these is Neymar of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain, who even started a bromance with the 33-year-old basketball legend.
Butler described how they became friends by saying, “I met Ney in 2017. I frequently traveled to Paris for fashion week and wore brazilian jerseys everywhere I went.
“We just happened to connect in some way or another. After having dinner and spending time together in Paris, our friendship grew. I’ve traveled there several times to see him.
“I had previously watched little-league soccer, but never a professional game. What more appropriate venue to view it than at the Olympics? So we went to watch Brazil triumph with Neymar. Since Brazil was playing Brazil in the final, I knew it would be chaotic.
“I anticipated it would be entirely different from a basketball or American football game. The crowd was extremely enthralled by the high caliber of the game. Nobody seems to ever sit down or be quiet, it seemed.
“It helped me fall in love with the game and greatly increased my interest in soccer. I have admired Brazilian soccer ever since. Since then, Neymar has become one of my favorite players.
“I adore PSG, but my true passion is for footballers. I follow Neymar’s and Pogba’s matches because they play for PSG and Manchester United, respectively. I always make an effort to watch the games, and if I am unable to do so, I regularly check the standings.
“Antoine Griezmann is the reason I follow Barcelona. Man City, since that is the preferred team of one of my closest pals. And because Liverpool is currently playing so well, I feel compelled to watch them. I therefore follow several different teams.
He also follows two of the top new wave athletes from Britain, US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Formula 1 mega prospect Lando Norris.
Along with Serena Williams, Butler has even referred to Raducanu as “one of my favorite athletes” and shown support for her recovery from injury.
He experienced Formula 1 in 2019, and Norris drove him around the Canadian Grand Prix course, terrifying the 6′ 7″ front.
Butler first used the phrase “You drivin’ drivin’!” and has since gushed about how much he loves Formula One.
Mark Wahlberg, the actor of The Departed and The Fighter, is one of Butler’s frequent catch-ups with celebrities who aren’t merely in the entertainment industry.
So it’s safe to say that not just those in Miami will be pleased to see Butler win his first championship if the Heat defeat the Denver Nuggets this season.
