Jan 19, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Former Miami Heat player Udonis Haslem walks onto the court prior to his jersey retirement ceremony during halftime of the game between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

NBA Fans Slam Udonis Haslem For Retracting Jimmy Butler Commentary

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI | By Jayden Armant | Last updated May 16, 2025 10:59 AM ET

Right before the playoffs, Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem praised Jimmy Butler, saying he was "smarter" than all-timers like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

After the Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs Wednesday night, Haslem seemingly revoked his statement, much to the dislike of many basketball fans.

"Dude got a job at ESPN and immediately became another Kendrick Perkins. Just says whatever generates headlines," one user tweeted. "What a loser."

Udonis Haslem two weeks ago: “Jimmy is a smarter basketball player than LeBron James & Dwyane Wade. I used to go home and think about ways to stop him.”

Dude got a job at ESPN and immediately became another Kendrick Perkins. Just says whatever generates headlines. What a loser. https://t.co/DtZbPVnEjD pic.twitter.com/C19xlWU1NF
— Hardwood Junkies (@hardwoodjunkies) May 15, 2025

Haslem said Butler doesn't establish himself offensively like James, Wade, or Jayson Tatum. He suggested that "Playoff Jimmy" gets placed in a tier way above his realistic expectations.

"I've seen guys guard LeBron, and no matter what you do, he gets his," Haslem said on First Take Thursday afternoon. "I've seen guys guard Dwyane Wade, he gets his. I've seen guys guard Jayson Tatum, he gets his. Jimmy Butler is not that unstoppable guy like those guys."

Jalen brown????????????? pic.twitter.com/3wTs03jU0Y
— ♎ Dore ♎️ (@Mike_Loudwy) May 15, 2025

Many also defended Butler from both the Miami and Golden State angles. Even with the bitter ending, Heat fans will never forget moments like his 56-point performance in Game 4 against the Bucks.

Now he’s not unstoppable man led your bum behind to the finals and ECF for years but he’s not that guy now? How quickly they forget. pic.twitter.com/vrgVHwSTwF
— Frieza’s Burner (@TweetsByTae) May 15, 2025

Meanwhile, the Warriors revived their season since acquiring Butler, arguably not even being a playoff team without the six-time All-Star.

No matter how you slice it and dice it, trading for Jimmy Butler was a MAJOR upgrade for the Warriors this season. They were barely a play-in team and with his addition, the Warriors ended up just one game behind the sixth seed. Had Curry stayed healthy, they would still be in…
— (silentMIA) (@thesilentMIA) May 15, 2025

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Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

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

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