Jimmy Butler Says His Sixers Teammates Didn’t Work as Hard as Him

Jimmy Butler‘s insane work ethic has become the stuff of legend, and has often led to friction with his teammates.

On Tuesday, Butler sat down for a conversation with Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, where he was asked if his Sixers teammates worked as hard as he did. 

“No,” Butler responded. “But everybody don’t do that. Everybody don’t work like that.” 

Butler seems far more tempered than when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he made headlines for that now infamous practice. He reportedly hurled profanities at Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns and criticized the front office. The situation was the final straw that forced the Wolves to trade Butler to the Sixers. 

“Am I being tough on him, yeah? That’s who I am,” Butler said at the time in reference to his young teammates. “I’m not the most talented player. Who’s the most talented player on our team? KAT. Who’s the most God-gifted player on our team? Wiggs. Who plays the hardest? Me. I play hard. I play really hard.” 

But after his time in Minnesota and Philly, Butler seems to have mellowed. “That’s just what it is,” Butler added about about the supposed chasm in work ethic during his time with the Sixers. “I’ve learned that over the years. Is there something wrong with that? No. There’s not.”

Butler eventually made his way to Miami during the offseason, where he received a massive contract. So far it’s been earned, as he’s led the Heat to one of the best records in the East.