Upon signing with the Miami Heat in 2019, Jimmy Butler had to think of which jersey number to wear for the team.
Heat team president Pat Riley, considered by many as the NBA's "Godfather," made an offer that Butler couldn't refuse: the retired #23 jersey.
Jimmy says Pat Riley offered him the retired No. 23 jersey when he got to Miami. 😂👀
— theScore (@theScore) May 14, 2023
(🎥: @JimmyButler) pic.twitter.com/FhX7xFPF63
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Jimmy Butler Refuses The Godfather's Offer
The Miami Heat retired the number 23 jersey in honor of Michael Jordan in 2003, even if he didn't play for a single game with the team.
In an Instagram story posted by Butler, however, the six-time All-Star claimed that Pat Riley offered him the retired number upon his arrival, having worn it for the past two years.
However, Butler eventually opted to wear the number 22, claiming he didn't want to use his other former number, 21, because it was etched with his time with the Chicago Bulls.
The All-NBA Second Team member said in 2020 that he chose to wear 22 for the Heat in honor of former Bulls teammate Taj Gibson, saying that the veteran forward taught him many things about being a pro and serving as a huge inspiration.
The Heat forward has worn the number 21 during his Chicago Bulls days and number 23 during his short stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers.
Butler wore 21 in Chicago because he was drafted at age 21 and in honor of a college teammate that helped him get into the league.
He then wore 23 with the Wolves and Sixers due to his association with the Jordan Brand.
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