Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler was booed heavily by fans Friday night at the home opener. While the four-time All-Star expected the crowd to do just that, Butler still didn't understand where the fans were coming from.

Butler scored 33 points to help the Timberwolves beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. Butler was booed in the starting lineups and also when he touched the ball to begin the game. He spoke about the jeers with reporters postgame.

As the game went on, those boos from the crowd turned into cheers and MVP chants for Jimmy Butler, who was once again the best player on the floor for the Timberwolves. This was to be expected. Everyone knew Butler was going to get booed at the start, but if he played well — which he did — the crowd was going to be happy because, at the end of the day, they are fans of the team and want the Timberwolves to win.

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The Timberwolves would not have made the playoffs last year without the stellar play of Jimmy Butler. The 29-year-old Texas native averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent overall, 35.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Butler requested a trade almost five weeks ago. No one could have predicted that his saga would still be ongoing, but yet here we are.