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Tag: Butler

Warriors’ Jimmy Butler faces ‘crybaby’ slight from NBA great

Jimmy Butler saw his trade wish granted by the Miami Heat, but one Basketball Hall of Famer called him a “crybaby” for how it all went down.

Tim Hardaway Sr. commented on Butler’s eventual trade to the Golden State Warriors, a team the former became a star with in the 1990s, during a SiriusXM NBA Radio appearance.

“I didn’t agree with what he was doing — you’re under contract,” Hardaway said.

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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

“[Butler’s] a baby. [He’s] a crybaby because they said no to you.”

Heat president Pat Riley initially said the team had no intentions of trading Butler back in December after reports came out that he preferred to be moved.

‘INSIDE THE NBA’ HAS SPIRITED DEBATE OVER HEAT STAR JIMMY BUTLER’S DRAMA, LATEST SUSPENSION

However, Butler’s response to that was ultimately something that led to “conduct detrimental to the team.”

What did Butler do? He reportedly walked out of a practice and missed a team flight for a road trip, leading to suspensions on both occasions.

Finally, the Heat gave in before the NBA trade deadline, sending Butler to the Warriors.

Former Golden State Warriors player Tim Hardaway speaks to the media before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

How Butler handled everything is something Hardaway couldn’t fathom in his playing days.

“We used to get said ‘no’ to us all the time, and we used to know how to take it,” he explained. “It is what it is. It’s a question. You get a yes or a no. You might not like the question, but you can’t deviate and mess up the team.”

Butler has requested trades in the past, especially during his sour ending in Minnesota with the Timberwolves. However, he isn’t the only NBA star to do so in recent seasons, as James Harden and Kawhi Leonard can attest.

And as Hardaway mentioned, stars in the past also requested trades, but had those denied. How Butler handled the situation, though, is different than what Hardaway has seen.

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

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Since the trade, Butler has played four games with his new Warriors squad, averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in those contests. Golden State won three of those four games.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
‘Truly providential’: Trump made promise to Marc Fogel’s mother moments before Butler assassination attempt

President Donald Trump met with Marc Fogel’s mother on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, and vowed to bring her son home if elected, just before an assassination attempt nearly took his life.

Rep. Mark Kelly, R-Pa., was there for the meeting between Trump and Malphine Fogel before the president took the stage.

“The president survived the assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, and he fulfilled his commitment to Mrs. Fogel that he would get her son home,” Kelly told Fox News Digital. “It is an incredible, providential story.”

MOTHER OF FREED AMERICAN HOSTAGE MARC FOGEL THANKS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: ‘HE KEPT HIS PROMISE’

President Donald Trump met with Marc Fogel’s mother on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, and vowed to bring her son home if elected, just before an assassin tried to take his life. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

During the rally, after his meeting with Fogel’s mother, Trump was showing off a chart highlighting how illegal immigration skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris administration. As he turned toward the chart, he was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear by the now-deceased would-be-assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump credits the chart for saving his life.

Kelly likened the situation to the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“The theme of the movie was that George Bailey was very frustrated, but he was given a glimpse of life and what would have happened if he hadn’t been there – if he hadn’t been born,” Kelly recalled. “And if I go back to July 13, this is all providential.”

President Donald Trump welcomes Marc Fogel back to the United States on Feb. 11, 2025, after Fogel was released from Russian custody. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“Mrs. Fogel has a chance to talk to the president, and she talks about what is happening to Marc. The president vows to get him home,” Kelly continued. “It is a take-off of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and the opportunity, or the dilemma, that if you were never born, what would the consequences have been?”

“If President Trump did not survive the assassination attempt on July 13, Marc Fogel wouldn’t be home today,” Kelly said.

Fogel, an American teacher from Western Pennsylvania, returned to the United States late Tuesday, after Trump secured his release. Fogel was arrested in 2021 at an airport in Russia for possession of medical marijuana and was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison.

AMERICAN MARC FOGEL RELEASED FROM RUSSIAN CUSTODY

Kelly told Fox News Digital that “it is all about faith.”

Marc Fogel, 63 years old, taught at AAS Moscow, formerly known as the Anglo-American School of Moscow. (Ellen Keelan and Lisa Hyland)

“Having been there and witnessed it, I think to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, that tiny fraction of an inch, or whatever it was, is the difference between Marc Fogel being home and Marc Fogel not being home,’” he said. “Between making a promise to his mother and being able to keep it, as opposed to making a promise and never getting a chance to fulfill it.”

Malphine Fogel recalled the Butler meeting with Trump on Fox News Channel’s “America Newsroom.”

“I met with President Trump, and he was just as cordial as he could be,” she said. “He told me three different times, ‘If I get in,’ he said, ‘I’ll get him out’ and I really think he’s been instrumental.”

Malphine Fogel told Fox News that “it was a total surprise” when she heard from her son from the Moscow airport.

“So, that meant that (they) had taken him out of the prison to Moscow…. The last week or so, for some crazy reason, I had a better feeling about things, but I hadn’t heard from him in a week, so I thought that was odd and when he called… it was just a total shock,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kelly told Fox News Digital, “There is a certain time in people’s lives where you realize you don’t have forever, you have right now, and you need to get it done.”

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“Politically, there is no one on either side of the aisle that could look at what happened with Marc Fogel and not somehow say, this is truly providential – this is not a political move,” Kelly said. “This doesn’t do anything for the president. He’s already elected. He did this to keep a promise to a mother in her mid 90s – the only thing she wanted to see before she died was her son one more time.”

Kelly added: “This is a promise made. Promise kept. It is truly providential. It is. It is a wonderful life.”

Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.

February 13, 2025
Ex-Patriots star Malcolm Butler remains evasive on infamous Super Bowl benching: ‘It is what it is’

Seven years after Malcolm Butler was mysteriously benched in the New England Patriots’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, the star cornerback is choosing to remain silent on the matter.

Butler, who won two Super Bowls during his tenure with the Patriots, which included his game-ending interception on the one-yard line against the Seattle Seahawks, has maintained all these years later that his absence in the Super Bowl in 2018 was simply a “coach’s decision.”

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New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, #21, looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb. 4, 2018. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

“It was just a coach’s decision,” Butler said during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub this week.

“It’s just loyalty. Nobody embarrassing nobody. It is what it is.”

Butler came on the field for just special teams play, but never played any defensive snaps during the game. Theories about why Bill Belichick benched Butler have been floated through the years, but the former player denied them during Tuesday’s appearance, including speculation that he was benched for attending parties before the game.

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, #21, breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee, #11, during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 21, 2018. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

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“No, I think a ring is more important than a party. I can do that for the rest of my life. In fact, I did last night,” he said. “We are grown men. We do got a time to be at work and a time to not be messing off.”

The mystery behind Butler’s benching was discussed in Apple TV+’s docuseries “Dynasty.”

Owner Robert Kraft said he has been told it was not “football-related.”

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“What has been told to me is that there was something personal going on between Bill and Malcolm that was not football-related,” he said in the documentary, via AL.com. “I always felt that every decision Bill had made had been to put what was in the best interests of the team first and put emotion aside. But with Malcolm, he did just the opposite.”

The following season, Butler signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans, where he played under head coach Mike Vrabel.

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, #21, against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC Championship at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 21, 2018. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Butler praised Vrabel’s coaching abilities as the former Patriot returns to New England this season as head coach.

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“He’s a great coach, he’s a players’ coach – he feels [the] players. He has the same philosophy as Bill Belichick, but he’s a little nice,” Butler said of Vrabel with a laugh.

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February 6, 2025
Heat to trade Jimmy Butler to Warriors: report

Jimmy Butler is reportedly on the move with hours left before the NBA trade deadline.

The Miami Heat agreed to trade Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The trade will mark the bitter end between Butler and the Heat organization.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 6, 2025
Heat suspend Jimmy Butler indefinitely after disgruntled star left shootaround: report

The latest update in the Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat saga isn’t a good one for fans.

Butler has been suspended for a third time by the organization, and this time, it’s indefinite, according to ESPN.

This comes after he was expected to return to the Heat on Monday night ahead of their matchup with the Orlando Magic. And the reason for this suspension revolves around how Miami planned to bring him back.

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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton (5) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Heat were looking to use Butler off the bench moving forward, but he wasn’t fond of that news when discussed at the team’s morning shootaround.

ESPN reported that Butler walked out of the shootaround after learning his team’s plan, which ultimately led the organization to suspend him indefinitely.

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This strained relationship has led to Butler missing nine of the last 12 Heat games heading into Monday. The first suspension Butler faced was worth seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team.

Butler would return and play three games, but his second suspension came after missing a team flight for a road trip last Wednesday, resulting in another two games being docked.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

While his team was facing the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets on the quick road trip, Butler was spotted at the Reserve Cup padel series in Miami, hanging out with National Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, comedian Andrew Schulz and more.

Butler is not happy with his role on the Heat, and he has requested a trade from the organization. At first, team president Pat Riley said the organization wouldn’t be taking calls on Butler. However, that mindset has changed in recent weeks.

The NBA trade deadline is coming up soon, though, as Feb. 6 will be the final day any trade can be made for this season across the NBA.

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Butler is in the second year of his three-year, $146.4 million deal with the Heat, all of which is guaranteed. He has a player option for next season worth $52.4 million against the Heat’s cap.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again after missing flight for road trip: report

The Miami Heat’s rollercoaster saga with All-Star Jimmy Butler continues, as they are reportedly suspending him two games for missing a team flight for a road trip, per ESPN.

The Heat were heading to Milwaukee on Wednesday for their nationally televised game against the Bucks on Thursday night, but Butler was not on the flight.

ESPN adds that Butler intended on making his way to Milwaukee another way, but the Heat are expected to suspend him for the road trip, which includes a Saturday game against the Brooklyn Nets as well.

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Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat prepares to shoot a free throw against the Washington Wizards on February 2, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)

This is the second in-house suspension for Butler this season, which only adds to the turmoil that was highlighted by him requesting a trade a few weeks ago.

Butler also served a seven-game suspension for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team,” though he remains a member of the Heat.

JIMMY BUTLER PLAYS IN SUNS-THEMED SNEAKERS HOURS AFTER PHOENIX ACQUIRES TRADE ASSETS

Butler continues to play, but he noted over the weekend that the “whole truth will come out” after making his trade request.

“Sooner or later, the whole truth will come out, but until then, we’ll continue to let people talk. And if I’m here, I will get out there to play,” Butler told the media after playing in the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets at home.

Bulter also seemed to be frustrated with the reports that said his relationship with Miami players and the front office were tense.

“I expect for people to talk,” Butler said. “Half the reason is because don’t nobody ever know what I’m really doing, so you just make up stuff, which is fine. And, honestly, I really don’t pay any attention to it. But I’ve got people telling me, ‘Oh they said this. They said that.’ So, I guess it’s really all good. I don’t have to clear anything up.

“So more power to you. Keep talking, and we’ll see where we end up.”

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old sparked some social media controversy as he was spotted wearing Phoenix Suns-themed sneakers on Tuesday night, with many believing it was done purposefully as his desired trade destination.

It also came just hours after the Suns acquired three future first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for another first-round pick.

Phoenix could use another star, as the Kevin Durant-Devin Booker-led roster is only 21-21 this season.

Heat president Pat Riley said back in December, “We are not trading Jimmy Butler.” However, the team’s stance changed after that seven-game suspension.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

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The Heat said they would “listen to offers” on Butler after announcing his suspension.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025