It’s not unusual for Jimmy Butler to own a press conference; he’s known for his dry humor, confident energy, and ability to control the room without saying too much. But after Buddy Hield’s standout performance for the Golden State Warriors, fans and reporters expected a bit more… acknowledgment. What they got instead? Classic Jimmy.
Following a game where Buddy Hield lit up the scoreboard and helped carry the Warriors to a crucial win, Butler took the mic with a grin and a few quips ready. “Buddy gets paid a lot of money to play at a high level,” he said. “Buddy was Buddy tonight. Good for you, Buddy Butter.” And just like that, the conversation swerved from stats and strategy to Jimmy being Jimmy sarcastic, effortless, and unbothered.
Jimmy Butler downplays Buddy Hield spectacular performance
Was this subtle shade or just Jimmy being playful? The internet lit up with mixed reactions. Some praised Butler for keeping it real without getting too emotional, while others felt he could’ve given Hield more credit for a game that clearly made a difference.
To be fair, Butler has seen and played against just about every kind of hot hand in the NBA. A veteran of deep playoff runs and high pressure moments, he doesn’t often go out of his way to celebrate opponents especially when the loss stings. But his delivery, filled with repeated “Buddy, buddy, buddy…” lines, didn’t exactly scream admiration either.
This isn’t the first time Jimmy Butler or Stephen Curry have had something to say to Buddy Hield on or off the court. In a previous game earlier, both stars were seen confronting Hield during a timeout in what looked like a mix of criticism and advice. Cameras caught Curry and Butler visibly frustrated, seemingly urging Hield to tighten up his game and take things more seriously.
And if that wasn’t enough, another moment that went viral came courtesy of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who, in the middle of a game, turned to Buddy and said, “Buddy, let me introduce you to your teammate Stephen Curry,” after Hield held onto the ball too long and refused to pass it to the greatest shooter of all time. It was a rare in-game callout that made fans laugh but also raised eyebrows about chemistry and awareness on the floor.
Butler’s comments may have sounded dismissive, but in their own way, they acknowledged that Buddy’s game was big enough to warrant attention even if it came wrapped in sarcasm.
It’s raw, it’s funny, it’s real. Jimmy Butler didn’t need to give a deep breakdown of Hield’s shooting splits or defensive impact; his quick jab, intentional or not, was enough to keep the storyline going long after the final buzzer. Jimmy Butler doesn’t just play the game he plays the mic, too.
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