CHICAGO — Jimmy Butler took the court for the first time as a Warrior Saturday night, and he did so with a new-look jersey.
When Butler discarded his warmup suit, the six-time All-Star revealed a distinct change to his jersey: above number 10 reads “Butler III.”
“Forever and ever,” Butler said.
New team, new name. Butler decided to add “III” to his name plate to honor his family lineage. Butler’s Warriors debut came on the one-year anniversary of the death of his father, and he’ll now pay homage to him.
“This was big for me to change it, and realize that I am his son,” Butler said. “I’m very grateful. That’s why I’m Butler III.”
With the new threads, Butler registered 25 points and four assists while shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 11-for-13 from the foul line. He helped the Warriors come back in a 132-111 win over the Bulls.
At his introductory press conference in Los Angeles, Butler asked Mike Dunleavy if he could add “III” to his name. The Warriors naturally obliged, starting their partnership on the right foot.
Number 10 for Neymar and “Butler III” for his late father.
According to media accounts, Butler’s dad left the family when he was an infant and his mother kicked him out of the house when he was 13. But Butler reconnected with both of them because he didn’t want to hold grudges. He grew close with his father and visited him in the hospital as he fought a terminal illness.
“I don’t think you really understand until you understand that athletes are human, too,” Butler said during the Netflix show “Starting 5.” “That we hurt and we cry and we grieve and we’re angry. Something is going on in our life and you can’t see it just like we don’t understand what’s going on in your life either. But that doesn’t make us a bad person for being human.”