For those who missed it, on Wednesday during the Heat-Pacers game, things got a little heated between Jimmy Butler and T.J. Warren when the latter grabbed the former after the former drove past the latter. Most NBA “fights” are just that: “fights.” They’re more of an opportunity for grown man to hug (“hold me back, bro!”) than to actual fight.
But this one…
“You’re f—ing trash.”Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren got tangled up, and both players had a few words for each other 🤬 pic.twitter.com/C0VCJuuEFW
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 9, 2020
Notice how fast the ref grabs Butler to push him away? Less than two seconds from the time Butler went chest to chest. Ref didn’t even glance in Warren’s direction. Do I think Butler would have actually taken a swing? No, he’s too smart for that.
Double Technicals assessed, play resumes. And Butler decides it’s time to send Warren to the showers. Or rather, it’s time for Warren to send himself to the showers. Or rather, it’s time for Warren to ask the refs to end him to the showers.
Jimmy Butler blew TJ Warren a kiss after Warren was ejected 😳 pic.twitter.com/ePoWVLmzO7— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2020
He’s looking to see if Warren took the bait. Which he did. Which led to the kiss off. Which Butler assured us all on The Daily Show was totally in the moment and not planned out at all.
And of course there’s Butler’s post game comments, which…’chef’s kiss’
In conclusion, Jimmy Butler plays chess, T.J. Warren plays go fish.