Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA play-in tournament on Wednesday night. The winner between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers will claim the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, where they’ll face the New York Knicks in the first round.

As the Miami Heat are gearing up for the long playoff grind, Jimmy Butler’s former teammate, Joakim Noah, chopped it up with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller in The OGs podcast to talk about Jimmy Butler’s competitive nature throughout the years.

“I think if you know Jimmy’s background a little bit then it all makes sense,” Joakim Noah said about Jimmy Butler. “Jimmy, he’s as competitive as they come.”

“Is there screws loose? Yes. Is there screws loose with me? Yes. Is there screws loose with him? Yes. Is there screws loose with Pat Riley? Is Pat Riley a normal guy? No, not at all. Is Thibs a normal guy? No,” he added.

Jimmy Butler is as unique as they come

Jimmy Butler is one of the league’s top stars. But unlike most of his colleagues, the Marquette product had to work for everything he had at this point in his NBA career.

He earned his due because of his ultra-competitive nature, which sometimes rubs certain people the wrong way. This was evident during his one-season stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he had his infamous outburst during practice.

Now with the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler has found a home that meets his high standards. Since arriving in South Beach in 2019, he has led the team to two NBA finals appearances.

As they embark on another playoff journey as the underdogs, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat will look to defy the odds again, similar to what they did last season. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles
Scottie Scheffler arrested, still makes PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update
Steelers' Cameron Heyward addresses contract holdout
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney gives smug response about not using transfer portal
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.