Philadelphia 76ers: We’re sorry, Jimmy Butler

By Sheldon Washington | Oct 3, 2020

Jimmy Butler (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers messed up.

There comes a point in life when there is no longer any more excuses that one can make. No more finger pointing, playing the blame game, or neglecting the truth that stares you in the face. Some people come to that crossroads and realize that it’s no one’s fault but their own. They claim it, and resolve to make themselves better, and be a blessing to others along the way, knowing that if change has to be made, it must start with them first.

Others, however, never amend their ways, choosing to double down on their stance, believing that truth is relative and there’s no right or wrong way to their journey. It just didn’t work for them that time. “Things will work out,” they reason. “All I need is the right circumstance and the pieces will fall in place”. Meanwhile, the ashes and charred remains of debris from their faulty beliefs leave neglected reminders that something is wrong…

It has been wrong…

It will always be wrong.

Ladies and Gentlemen of Sixers Nation: allow me to submit to you the following:

The Philadelphia 76ers were wrong. The front office, Elton Brand and company, coaching staff: you all made a mistake.

More from Sixers News

Since there is a 99.9 percent chance that you all will probably never say it out loud, I’ll take on the mantle on behalf of Sixers fans in Philadelphia and abroad.

Jimmy “Buckets” Butler, if you ever read this…We’re sorry.

We are sorry for believing the narrative that was put out about you; that you were a deterrent in the locker room, you are confrontational, not a conformist, that it was “all about Jimmy”, that you were a “problem dressed up as a leader,” as written by Rick Morrissey of the Chicago SunTimes in October of 2018.

The only thing that Jimmy Butler cared about is winning and being great. And if those around Jimmy Butler didn’t value those same things in an environment where the end goal is winning, Jimmy Butler could not relate.

Anyone who has tried their hand in entrepreneurialism, or is an entrepreneur, can relate to the mentality of Mr. Butler. You want people around you that share similar desires, characteristics, work ethic, goals.

In other words: a culture.

Jimmy’s culture was cultivated through hard work, dedication, growing up homeless, knowing that everything he wanted, he had to get it out the mud. Some of us from the neglected side of the redlines know all too well about that life.

Unfortunately, many don’t understand that culture in the modern NBA. Maybe Jimmy’s demeanor isn’t suited for today’s game, which heaps millions upon millions of dollars upon young players who have tons of highlight videos stretching back to high school, already anointed as the next great and have yet to prove themselves at any point in their tenure.

That’s what Butler ran into in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves chose to cater to Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns, neglecting the proof in their record with them, and pushing away the culture that Jimmy Butler wanted to instill in his teammates.

We have seen what happened with that arrangement.

Shipped off to Philadelphia, one would think that if any team, or city, would understand the makeup of a Jimmy Butler, it would be the 76ers. One thing the Sixers, and Philadelphia is known for, is tough players. Why is Allen Iverson so revered in Sixers, and NBA, history? As talented as Iverson was, his toughness was equally respected. Even if a player wasn’t supremely talented, if you showed heart, and didn’t back down from anyone, you would win the respect of many fans.

Butler seemed like a perfect match for the Sixers. A player who could be an extension of the coach on the court, showing the young stars how to reach their full potential if they put in the work, demanding accountability as a requirement of star status, and winning over the fan base by laying everything out there nightly.

Who knew that the Sixers culture turned into “Nice Guy” university?

Maybe if Kawhi’s four bounce miracle doesn’t go in, the Sixers would look different coming into this season. But the writing was on the wall from the moment that reports leaked about the riff between Jimmy and Brett Brown. The Sixers front office wanted him gone.

The Sixers turned their back on a culture that wanted to win more badly than them. A culture that Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid needed. A culture that was the missing piece to the championship puzzle. Not another high draft pick, not high-quality free agents (though that could help too). A culture…

Jimmy Butler was THE culture.

A transformative culture.

A championship ecosystem.

With the right backing, that ecosystem can evolve to create a climate that produces productivity to all that’s within its reach.

Last Sunday night, the ecosystem evolved. Producing an Eastern Conference Championship team in the Miami Heat, closing out Boston in six games.

Jimmy, we were wrong. And for that, we’re sorry.

Whatever happens in the NBA Finals, it won’t sour the fact that Jimmy Butler was exactly the guy that Chicago, Minnesota, and Philadelphia needed on their team.

Next. 5 under-the-radar trade targets. dark

Give honor to whom honor is due: Jimmy Buckets is the man.