- Victor Oladipo’s 1-emoji summary of his dominant defensive performance vs. the Celtics
- Report: Celtics provide injury updates on Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams ahead of Game 4 vs. Heat
- Erik Spoelstra implies Miami Heat had to restrain Jimmy Butler from playing in 2nd half of Game 3
- Former NBA star explains how Miami Heat’s strict body fat requirement prevented him from playing with LeBron James
- Erik Spoelstra reveals that Kyle Lowry intends to play in Game 3 vs. the Celtics
- Amar’e Stoudemire crushes Tyler Herro for not being same bubble player: ‘Where is the focus on basketball?’
- Report: Miami Heat legend Tim Hardaway joined New York Knicks in scouting role this season
- Report: Boston Celtics upgrade Al Horford’s status for Game 2 of Eastern Conference Finals
- Report: Boston Celtics to be without key role player in Game 2 vs. Miami Heat
- Max Strus strongly shuts down idea that he wants revenge against Celtics in ECF
Report: NBA spokesman denies that Jimmy Butler rejected All-Star Game invitation
- Updated: March 2, 2021
Russell Isabella-USA TODAY SportsAn NBA spokesperson denied a report that Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler rejected an invitation to the All-Star Game.
According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are required to play in the game unless they are injured or have another reason that the league’s commissioner deems acceptable.
An NBA spokesperson denied that Jimmy Butler rejected an All-Star invitation, per NBC Sports
"The Collective Bargaining Agreement requires selected players to play in the All-Star game unless they’re injured or have another reason the commissioner deems acceptable." pic.twitter.com/LnJeJCII7i
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) March 2, 2021
Butler, 31, is not a part of the group selected to represent the Eastern Conference in this year’s game.
The NBA had to find a replacement for injured Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, but it selected Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis.
According to Ethan Skolnick of the “Five on the Floor” podcast, Butler told the NBA he wouldn’t play in the All-Star Game for one specific reason.
“For those who were sort of questioning why Jimmy wasn’t named to the All-Star team when Durant went out and it was Sabonis, I can tell you that the NBA wanted to name him to the All-Star team,” Skolnick said.
He made it clear that the whole thing revolved around Bam Adebayo not being invited.
“He wasn’t going unless Bam was going,” he revealed.
Whether Butler was actually invited or not seems to be unclear, but he will not be participating in this year’s game unless another spot opens up due to injury and he is selected.
This season, Butler is averaging 20.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in 21 games.
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