For the first time since being traded to the Utah Jazz over the offseason, veteran guard Ricky Rubio took the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Following the game, All-Star forward Jimmy Butler made it clear that he didn't want Rubio's presence in the locker room.
One leftover from last night: Jimmy B informed the authorities after the game not to allow Ricky into “my locker room” if he tried to visit
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) October 21, 2017
Ricky Rubio has much familiarity with the Timberwolves after spending his first six years in the league with the organization. There are also many players still on the team with whom he holds strong friendships despite his departure.
However, Jimmy Butler has taken the full approach of taking over the locker room as the leader of the team. This inherently includes other players not being able to get inside after games regardless if it's a former teammate.
That said, Butler's comments look to have simply come from the fact that he and Rubio had gotten into during the fourth quarter of Friday's game where each was handed a technical foul. Rubio had appeared to exaggerate contact made on him below the basket that led to Butler telling him to “shut the f*** up.” This quickly proceeded to the two jabbering face to face before being separated by teammates and the referees.
Who else loves the new Ricky Rubio?
Watch him flop then get in Jimmy Butler's face! He also had 19/10/5 vs his old team. pic.twitter.com/28Lo1aCCXn— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 21, 2017
Regardless of the nature of the situation between them, it gave Jimmy Butler more than enough reason to not want to see Ricky Rubio's face in the locker room after the game even after earning the win.
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