May 29, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) celebrates after the Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images David Butler II-Imagn Images

NBA Fans React To Heartbreaking Jimmy Butler News

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Oct 9, 2024 10:34 PM ET

On Wednesday, the new Netflix series "Starting 5" was released.

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is one of the stars that was followed around during the 2023-24 season.

In the show, Butler revealed that his father passed away during the middle of last season (h/t Bleacher Report).

Via Bleacher Report: "Jimmy Butler opened up on what he went through when his dad died during the 2023-24 season "

Jimmy Butler opened up on what he went through when his dad died during the 2023-24 season

(via Starting 5) pic.twitter.com/fBsmjeEL2O
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 9, 2024

Many fans reacted to the heartbreaking news that had been unknown until the series was released.

Via @TheGleef: "The real world is so much bigger than sports. Fans take it too far, we need to do better"

The real world is so much bigger than sports. Fans take it too far, we need to do better https://t.co/ozLBGvZe0w
— gleef.win (@TheGleef) October 9, 2024

Via @Ant_Cooks: "That's terrible, man. We often overlook that these athletes are actual human beings. They're dealing with life's challenges just as we are."

That's terrible, man. We often overlook that these athletes are actual human beings. They're dealing with life's challenges just as we are.
— Ant_dynasty (@Ant_Cooks) October 9, 2024

Via @_SchuZ_: "Just as with any human, when someone starts to underperform and doesn’t act as they typically do, there's often something bigger going on in their life. We have to keep that in mind for athletes as well because they’re humans, too."

Just as with any human, when someone starts to underperform and doesn’t act as they typically do, there's often something bigger going on in their life. We have to keep that in mind for athletes as well because they’re humans, too.
— Zach “” Schumaker (@_SchuZ_) October 9, 2024

Via @Demar305: "this is why people INCLUDING heat fans should not get pissed when someone is out with personal reasons everyone it’s bigger than basketball"

this is why people INCLUDING heat fans should not get pissed when someone is out with personal reasons everyone it’s bigger than basketball
— Heat Clips (@Demar305) October 9, 2024

Jimmy is a great guy. God bless him
— hedgedog (@hedgedog5) October 9, 2024

You're so strong jimmy
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) October 9, 2024

Netflix reveals Jimmy Butler lost his father prior to the All-Star break last season:

“Right after All-Star break, [my teammates] really need me to be a lot better. I wanna always answer to that call. But I couldn’t care less about basketball right now. I don’t care. … It… pic.twitter.com/Ju75C9DBHv
— (@HeatvsHaters) October 9, 2024

Butler finished last year with averages of 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 49.9% from the field and 41.4% from the three-point range in 60 games.

The Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs (Butler was injured during the series).

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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