Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler sent basketball hoops to his Heat teammates and coaches to help them stay in basketball shape amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Butler had Lifetime deliver the hoops to players and coaches, including those living in condos and players on two-way contracts. He also plans to donate portable hoops to schools and youth centers in the Miami area, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald:
Jimmy Butler has made sure his Miami Heat teammates at least have a basket to work with as team facilities around the NBA are closed indefinitely amid the NBA’s coronavirus shutdown.
With Goran Dragic as the only Heat player who entered the shutdown with a basket at his home (a portable hoop at his Miami house), according to the team, Butler and the rest of Miami’s roster was left without the necessary resources to get shots up.
But Butler decided enough was enough and bought a basketball hoop for himself to work with at his home in the San Diego area. Then the All-Star wing had portable baskets sent to each Heat player and coach to make sure they had one, too, as they wait out the NBA hiatus.
The inability for NBA players to shoot or practice at home is actually more commonplace than one might believe.
As Chiang reported, Goran Dragic was the only Heat player with his own basket, and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been vocal about how he does not have access to his own hoop. Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry even built his own hoop.
Butler continues to have a profound impact as a leader in the Heat organization, even with the season still in suspension. Perhaps his donations will help his teammates round into shape in short order should the NBA receive the “all clear” to resume play.
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