A complicated story of hate, love for Butler

The trips to Chicago still remain special for Jimmy Butler because they mean a chance to spend time at one of his homes.

But they also stand as a reminder of something said, and then something otherwise done.

It was during his NBA emergence with the Chicago Bulls in 2013 when, in an interview with Chicago Splash, Butler was asked, to fill in the blank of, “The one thing I’d never wear ...”

His answer? “A Miami Heat jersey.”

Now, eight years removed from the comment, and having helped lead the Heat to the 2020 NBA Finals, Butler smiles about it all.

“I knew I was going to end up here way back then,” Butler said of the Heat to the South Florida Sun Sentinel ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Bulls at the United Center.

“So I said it then just so I could make the tabloids think I could predict the future.”

With the Bulls’ coaching staff completely overhauled and the roster rebuilt since his Chicago departure in the 2017 offseason, there is nothing like the antipathy still held toward the Timberwolves.

The Bulls, in fact, wound up with comparable quality in acquiring Zach LaVine from Minnesota in exchange for Butler, in the deal that also sent the draft rights of Justin

Patton to Minnesota, with the Kris Dunn and draft rights of Lauri Markkanen going to Chicago.

“I’ve got so much love for Chicago,” Butler said with another Cheshire grin. “That’s where I first learned to hate the Miami Heat. And then when I left, I learned to love the Miami Heat, and the way that they do things.”

Essentially, learning to hate the Heat taught him to love his current employer.

“So it kind of introduced me to the Miami Heat,” he said.

Of those who remain with the Bulls and at the United Center, Butler said, “There’s so many familiar faces, so much love. Always glad to go back and compete.”

Strus honored

The timing of the Heat’s visit to Chicago allowed DePaul University to honor Max Strus for his time at the school, during Friday’s victory over Northern Kentucky, with the Chicago-area native touched by the moment and the attendance of many from the team.

“It’s crazy how it worked out,” said Strus, who played two seasons at DePaul before going undrafted in 2019. “But I’m very thankful to DePaul and what they did for me and my career, the success I had there on and off the court, help me become a man and turned me into a pro.”

Strus said he soaked in the moment.

“It was humbling,” he said “It was gratifying just to hear my name be called like that again, and people yelling, ‘Strus.’ It just means so much for me. I’ve met a lot of these fans personally and I care deeply about ’em. They’re loyal fans and they were here all the time to support me.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the opportunity resonated.

“I think it is one of those cool moments during an NBA schedule where things line up,” he said. “And we happened to be here over the holiday, he was able to spend some time at home, and then for the game to happen and they want to honor him.

“And it’s well deserved.”

As a senior with the Blue Demons, Strus j oined Mark Aguirre as the only players from the school to score at least 700 points in a season and set a school record with his 113 3-pointers.

Strus said he was taken by the Heat’s presence at the event.

“The support’s unreal,” he said. “We’re always going to support each other and be there for each other.”

Whether it was against LeBron James or anyone else on the Heat, Jimmy Butler, right, said those Bulls matchups fueled his fire when it came to Miami.