Jimmy Butler Turned Down All-Star Nod Because Bam Wasn’t Invited

Jimmy Butler during an NBA All-Star Game in 2017
Jimmy Butler during an NBA All-Star Game in 2017. Photo by Stephen Lew/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

If anyone ever had any doubts about Jimmy Butler’s loyalty, this should persuade them. Apparently, the Miami Heat forward was offered a spot on this year’s Eastern Conference All-Star squad, but he turned it down—because teammate Bam Adebayo wasn’t invited as well.

Butler, who’s been an All-Star five times in the past, was given the nod after superstar Kevin Durant was ruled out for the game due to a hamstring injury. But clearly, some things are more important for Butler.

Last season, both Butler and Adebayo made the All-Star team, and for good reason. As we saw in the playoffs, they both put up stellar performances as they led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals. They ended up losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they nevertheless got further than most people expected.

One might argue that Butler’s unwavering loyalty to Adebayo is one of the reasons they’re such a good team. True, the Heat haven’t shown nearly the same spark so far as they did last season, but we’d be willing to bet that they’ll be fighting hard come playoff time.

And when playoff time comes and they’re down in the trenches, Adebayo will remember how his veteran teammate had his back earlier in March.

Eitan is a songwriter, Lakers fan, and second-place winner at a Harry Potter trivia night. He enjoys writing about travel, sports, food, and geek culture.