Boo who? Butler turns jeers to cheers

Jimmy Butler’s trade request last month instantly turned him from fan favorite to scorned superstar in Minnesota.

With some hustle steals and highlight-reel baskets Friday night in Minneapolis, he quickly had the crowd at the home opener on his side.

Butler brushed off some early jeers, scoring 33 points in 36 minutes to lead the Timberwolves past the Cavaliers 131-123.

“I knew as soon as I made an effort play, it was going to turn into cheers,” Butler said. “I like it, though. Like I told you, it’s OK to boo me. I’m still going to play hard. I’m still going to try to my best to help win games. Boos, cheers, silence, I’ve got a job to do.”

It was a vintage all-around effort by Butler, the four-time All-Star who has told the team he won’t re-sign when his contract expires next summer. Hence the boos, which began when he was introduced pregame.

“That’s the NBA. He loves it,” said coach Tom Thibodeau, who also heard boos during introductions.

Butler, who played his first six seasons with the Bulls before a 2017 draftday trade, made 10 of 12 field goals and 12 of 12 free throws, with seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.

The likelihood of Butler awkwardly suiting up in the home opener for the team he’s seeking to leave seemed extremely low. Yet here he was at the Target Center. The boos came during the Wolves’ first five possessions each time Butler touched the ball, until he stole a pass in the backcourt and fed Taj Gibson for a dunk.

Fans immediately roared. Butler had plenty more highlight-reel dunks and steals. Soon enough, some “MVP! MVP! MVP!” chants broke out.

“As long as you know that my mind and my heart is in the right place and I do everything to win and I’d do anything for my guys, I’m cool,” Butler said.

The Wolves held Butler out of their game against the Mavericks on Saturday night in Dallas for precautionary rest.