Jimmy Butler shares insights on Miami Heat's potential to regain title contender status and discusses the opening of his Bigface retail outlet.
Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler is a bustling individual right now.
The helm of the Heat and 35-year-old forward is in the midst of his 14th season. Although Butler is one of the elder statesmen in the league and the second-elder member of the Heat squad, his age wouldn't suggest it based on watching him perform — he's still playing at a top-notch level even as he enters the twilight of his performing career.
“I'm not sure how much longer I wish to compete,” Butler mentions at the unveiling of his first brick-and-mortar Bigface location when asked about how much longer he wishes to play for. “But I know I can still excel at a high level for a couple more years. So we'll see. Only time will tell. We'll see what my kids and family want to do and we'll sit down and discuss it.”
Butler has been battling a persistent right knee injury this season, but he returned to action in a lopsided 134-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the week. The six-time All-Star scored 17 points, collected nine rebounds, and dished five assists in the win. The victory moved the Heat to a .500 mark through their initial 20 games of the season.
With their victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, the Heat surpassed the .500 mark for the first time since they stood at 3-2 in early November.
“A win is a win,” says Butler when asked about the recent victory over the Lakers. “It doesn't matter how many points it's by. My knee is feeling good, but it's a legitimate day-by-day situation. I'm glad to be back on the court, I miss basketball when I don't get the opportunity to play. But I have to do what's best for me and take care of my body and ensure that I'm always prepared to play whenever I step on the court.”
While the Heat will consistently remain a playoff challenge as long as head coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley are in charge, they don't appear to be threats to the Eastern Conference's elite in the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks. Despite the season being early, Miami has the sixth-best record in the conference and are 8.5 games behind the Cavaliers, the best team in the East.
Although the Heat are less than two years removed from their most recent Finals appearance, they made it as an eighth seed. They also had some heroic performances by Butler and unexpected playoff showings by an under-the-radar group of role players, most of whom are no longer members of the Heat.
“It's difficult, but we can do it,” says Butler when asked how the Heat can return to the Eastern Conference's elite echelon. “There are so many stars pouring in baskets at an incredible rate. It's actually crazy to think about it and watch. But it doesn't frighten anyone on this side very much. We know what every team is capable of in the league and we also know what we're capable of.”
Butler continues to stress confidence in the Heat's potential to compete with the elite of the Eastern Conference. Miami has reached the NBA Finals twice during Butler's time and finished with the East's top record during the 2021-22 season.
“We are going to take our chances every day, every night, neutral site home or away, we just have to go out there and capitalize and make it happen and not talk too much about it,” says Butler.
Jimmy Butler Discusses Opening of First Bigface Store in Miami
The unveiling of Bigface in Miami’s Design District this week marks Butler's first physical location for his coffee brand. The company also functions as a lifestyle brand, selling apparel.
The concept of Bigface came about during the COVID-19 pandemic as Butler delved into the side hustle. He began producing his own coffee while charging his teammates $20 as a joke.
He expounds on why getting into the coffee sector intrigued him so much.
“You get to interact with an assortment of individuals, which is the finest aspect of coffee,” says Butler. “Everyone's coming in to get a coffee, never know who you're going to encounter. You learn about them, you uncover what you have in common with them that you would never have encountered otherwise.”
“That's where the love of coffee began, but it started via the people,” Butler continues to say. “Now that I have my own shop, I get to witness everybody who's occupied, everybody who dwells here, everybody who's departing here. They're going to come here — this is their sanctuary.”
Butler details that he aims to open additional physical locations globally as one of the long-term objectives for his brand.
“I have plans for hundreds of them all over the world,” Butler details. “I want to be able to travel and when I travel, I want to be able to enter a coffee shop of mine in my own way. That is a dream of all dreams. I don't know if they can all be as grand as this one. But the first one you have to go big or go home.”
The VIP party for Bigface — held hours before the official opening for customers — featured appearances from Butler's teammate Kevin Love, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, and rap record producer DJ Khaled. There were servings available for some of Bigface’s top coffee/alcohol-infused products at the indoor and outdoor bars for guests.
“I want everybody to be aware of what Bigface is about,” says Butler. “When you come in here, everybody's so loving, everybody's so nice, everybody's having a good time, dancing, vibing to the music while you're getting your coffee.
"Folks are considerate, they're not keen on intruding on your personal space," Butler points out. "We apply that mindset everywhere. You never know who you might bump into, how their day's shaping up. Approach, inquire, make pals, and arrange playdates at the park for the kiddos together."
After the success of Bigface in Miami, Jimmy Butler plans to expand his coffee brand globally, aiming to open hundreds of physical locations around the world. At the VIP party for Bigface's opening, notable attendees included Jimmy Butler's teammate Kevin Love, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, and rapper DJ Khaled. Despite battling a knee injury this season, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler continued to lead the team, displaying his top-notch performance abilities and maintaining his role as a vital member of the team, just like his teammate Kevin Love, who is also a key player for the Heat in the NBA.
