The connection between Miami Heat Jimmy Butler and franchise legend Dwyane Wade has always been characterised by a lighthearted chemistry. Their friendship blossomed while playing together for the Chicago Bulls in the 2016–17 NBA season, when Wade was in his mid-30s. At a basketball camp in Florida not too long ago, Butler made a witty remark about how guarding Wade used to be difficult but that Wade is now “old and washed up.” ClutchPoints was the first to publish the funny clip online.
Two years ago, in a similarly lighthearted interaction, Wade recalled his first impressions of a young Jimmy Butler. Wade joked that he was wrong about Butler’s NBA prospects. Despite the jokes, it’s clear that these guys have a bond that goes far beyond the basketball floor.
Butler teases Wade’s age in playful jab during basketball camp
Jimmy Butler had some fun with a group of kids at his basketball camp in Florida, and it shows in this entertaining video. He begins by gushing over fellow Heat legend Dwyane Wade, praising Wade’s defensive skills from back in the day.
“Whenever I had to play against Dwyane Wade, he was absolutely the hardest person to guard… You couldn’t touch him because he was a superstar. D-Wade was tough. Now he’s old and washed up.”
Jimmy Butler spoke about Dwyane Wade at his camp in Florida 🤣
(via @JimmyButler / IG) pic.twitter.com/b7BOU3tCEe
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 27, 2023
“Whenever I had to play against Dwyane Wade, he was absolutely the hardest person to guard. He was so strong and athletic. You couldn’t touch him because he was a superstar. D-Wade was tough.”
But in typical Butler fashion, he ends on a humorous note, making a wry observation about Wade’s current condition:”Now he’s old and washed up.”
Butler’s comments to Wade are plainly meant as a lighthearted hit at their former teammate following Wade’s induction into the NBA Hall of Fame. Despite any animosity that may have arisen in the past, their camaraderie is clear from the taunting back and forth between them.
Did Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade play together?
Jimmy Butler, a 6-foot-4 combo guard with the Chicago Bulls, had a lot of respect for the Miami way of life throughout their season together. He took Dwyane Wade’s advice with him to Minnesota and Philadelphia, and it helped him succeed. Wade, knowing that his retirement was coming up in 2019, strongly suggested that Butler visit Miami.
The four years that have passed since Butler arrived in Miami have resulted in two trips to the NBA Finals for the Heat. Butler thanked Wade, the Finals MVP in 2006, and gave him a shout-out before the NBA Finals. The 6-foot-7 forward said, “Clearly, Dwyane Wade was spot-on with his predictions of Jimmy and the Heat franchise complementing each other.”
Given his keen insight into player-team interactions, Wade and Butler made a close connection with each other both as friends as well as players.
