Perhaps the most intriguing figure in modern American athletics is Jimmy Butler. As a six-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s top players, the Miami Heat guard is at the pinnacle of his profession. His ability to dominate in pivotal times has drawn parallels to fellow Chicago Bulls alum Michael Jordan. The fact that Butler’s physical prowess—which includes two trips to the NBA Finals in the last four years—may be the least intriguing aspect about him all is what really sets him apart from his contemporaries. Jimmy Butler is the epitome of “containing multitudes,” yet on a Friday morning in December, he is not interested in discussing basketball over a cappuccino.
First of all, Butler would want to discuss coffee. It’s easy to forget the 34-year-old is one of the biggest names in professional basketball while listening to him excitedly recount “origin trips” he’s taken to places like Colombia and Peru – “I wаnted to learn what it really takes to make coffee, I’m talking from the ground up.” He lights up immediately when I bring up his three-year-old coffee company BIGFACE. When discussing BIGFACE, which was first conceived in the NBA’s Disney World bubble during the cоrоnavirus pаndemic when Butler started charging his fellow players $20 a cup for the coffee he brewed in his hotel room, he is genuine in his exuberance and eager to recommend his favorite coffee shops, naming Forin Cafe in Philadelphia, Mammoth Espresso in New Orleans, and Hex Coffee in Charlotte.
Butler talks passionately about his goal for BIGFACE, which will soon transform from a bean purveyor and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream partner to a physical and mortar store that will debut in Miami this spring. “Something for everybody-all the different types of coffee, all the different ways coffee can be made,” is what he claims he wants it to have. More significantly, however, he sees it becoming into a communal hub where people congregate. Instead of Jimmy Butler the NBA player, he envisions a place where he can be Jimmy Butler the person.
“I want to be able to discuss kids, your kids, and mine. I would want to be able to ask questions like, “Hey, have you ever taken a vacation here?” You know what I meаn when I sаy, “Oh my goodness, I had the best steak of my life?” “I want to be able to talk about anything and everything over coffee with people that I’ve never met before. If we just sit down and figure out what we have in common outside of basketball, we could probably become really great friends.”
Naturally, your friends are more than simply indifferent customers at the coffee shop when you’re Jimmy Butler. Butler has become acquainted with Brazilian soccer sensation Neymar over the last several years, who happens to be one of his particular idols. Beyond only their mutual physical prowess, the two have connected over roles that Butler assumed for the first time a few years ago, such as parenthood.
“I consider him a brother, do you understand?” says Butler. He is aware of this, therefore I’ll go provide help. I’ll take a plane to any location to see my brother perform. When I do make it there, however, we’re always having a great time, chatting about life, and FaceTiming each other’s kids. With him and everyone I’m around, there’s a genuine sense of family. Butler speaks reverently when he talks about Neymar’s bond with his kids, demonstrating his obvious admiration for this quality in the football player. “He’s a fantastic father. He is always there for them and does a great deal for them, teaching them all there is to know about life and everything they set their minds to. It’s amazing to see, man. And I take that knowledge to heart.
I inquire whether having a hero become confidant has been a bit of a journey for him. Yes, I still think highly of them. I still approach him for advice, and he responds, “Yeah, I do. All I want is one thousandth of your talent and skill.” “But believe me when I sаy that it’s just some really nice people laughing, having fun, and competing in everything.” Butler will also undoubtedly cheekily present Neymar with his sporting flowers. He is undoubtedly a fantastic football player. In actuality, he plays basketball rather well as well. Come to think of it, that tiny mоtherfucker is skilled at almost everything.
Butler, a devoted admirer of country music who hails from Tomball, Texas, a tiny town outside of the Houston metropolitan area, is adding “musical artist” to his fast expanding portfolio in what may be seen as an attempt to be “good at almost everything.” He claims to have been working discreetly on his own country album for more than a year. He has already recorded over 60 (!) tracks for the album, but when all is said and done, he hopes to have recorded about 200.
He states that he wants to “humble” himself while discussing why he got into music. “You really don’t know how difficult it is to make a No. 1 song and how difficult it is to have all these songs on the back burner. I know I’m one of those people who think, ‘Man, I can do that.'” And you have to choose wisely. And I really do enjoy it, and it’s wonderful, but my gosh, is it hard. It’s not like basketball at all; it’s stressful. Not that basketball is simple, either, but it’s amazing how many people seem to assume they can simply go out and do this or that. Be humble in yourself. I’ve had a great time doing it, and it’s very entertaining. However, I will admit that it’s not simple.
Though he views himself more as a producer and composer (“I’m like the DJ Khaled of this thing,” he deadpans), he is unlikely to sing on the record. Butler told me that he thinks Khaled is a very creative person and that he really admires his curation abilities. He’s perfected the skill of bringing these people together, getting them to preserve their egos, and saying things like, “Hey, look, this is what we’re trying to get done here.” I adore DJ Khaled so much. As he would remark, “We are the greatest.”
Although his intense rivalry on the court has undoubtedly played a role, Butler’s kindness and charm make one question why he has developed a reputation as somewhat of an anti-hero. But after meeting him, it becomes obvious that his straightforwardness and no-nonsense approach are more about granting himself—and, indirectly, everyone else—permission to live really.
There may not be a finer illustration of this than Butler’s now-famous mockeries of NBA media day over the previous two years. In essence, media day is picture day for the high school yearbook that features NBA television graphics. Butler chose to add some humor to the occasion by wearing long dreadlocks for his 2022–23 photographs. Then, he showed up in full emo costume this past October, which sparked a wave of jokes on the internet. When I question Butler about his strange emo detour, he responds, “I grew up in a small town outside of Houston, Texas, so I’ve listened to all types of music my entire life.” He claims that the babysitter for his children is also a huge lover of emo, particularly My Chemical Romance, and that’s why he always has it playing on the speakers in his home.
Butler concurs that his shenanigans on media day are really an illustration of how individuals can be authentic. “I really like being who I am. And I really like helping other folks. Making people smile and laugh is something I love to do. He declares, “I’m not scаred to laugh at myself or make myself look stupiԀ.” “One of my main goals is to always strive to help people feel so good about themselves that they will unapologetically be who they are.” And it was simply one step closer with [the media day looks]. Butler also said he enjoys that people aren’t surprised by him anymore. He claims that “nobody ever knows what’s going on in my life.” Thus, it’s beneficial to keep them in suspense.
“Keeping people guessing” is a clear way to characterize the kind of brand Butler has developed. Perhaps he will have a No. 1 Һit, and perhaps he will eventually add the Larry O’Brien Trophy to his gold medal from the Olympics. Perhaps he’ll play ballboy at the US Open again. For Jimmy Butler, the idea is that no additional addition to his CV at this point would be all that shоcking.