The Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets, 125-105, in the bubble on Saturday, but the biggest news item of the session in Orlando happened before the game. Heat star Jimmy Butler attempted to wear a jersey without a name on the back, and the officials in charge of the game didn’t allow the contest to start until Butler changed jerseys to one with “Butler” on the back.
Statement made. #BlackLivesMatter@JimmyButler pic.twitter.com/HKT63unwoz
— x – Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 1, 2020
Butler was asked by officials to swap his name-less No. 22 jersey with one that had his name on it, which he did. But after the game he spoke about what happened, saying he didn’t understand why the league won’t allow him to honor victims of police brutality and other Black causes by removing his own name from his jersey — it had previously been reported that Butler planned on doing this. Speaking to reporters, Butler expressed disappointment about the moment, saying “I don’t care” about the explanation the league gives for its rules.
Jimmy Butler says he doesn’t know exactly why he was asked to change his jersey before tipoff and adds “I don’t care” about the league’s explanation. Butler said he relented “for my teammates” and described it as “to be determined” if he tries to play in a blank jersey again
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 1, 2020
Butler isn’t the only NBA player who wanted to go nameless in the bubble in lieu of a social justice slogan. At least one member of the Boston Celtics wanted to follow that same route according to ESPN’s broadcast on Friday night, and Jaylen Brown has expressed disappointment that the slogans were limited back in July. But the NBA has been adamant that players either use their given name or choose from a list of pre-selected phrases like “Education Reform” or “Equality.”
NBA spokesman on Jimmy Butler: “Displaying no name or message on the back of a player’s jersey was not an option among the social justice messages agreed upon by the Players Association and the NBA as modifications to the rules regarding uniforms.” (1/2)
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 1, 2020
NBA spokesman (continued) on Miami’s Jimmy Butler being asked to take off a jersey with no name and replace it with a jersey bearing BUTLER: ”Per league rules, the uniform may not be otherwise altered and anyone wearing an altered jersey will not be permitted to enter the game.”
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 1, 2020
The league’s efforts to raise awareness of Black issues — including the use of the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on the bubble courts — make it one of the most progressive among the major sports when it comes to siding with and encouraging activism among its players. But this jersey issue doesn’t appear likely to go Butler’s way, and the league seems to have made it clear to officials that its rules must be followed regardless of the noble intent of Butler or anyone else in the Bubble.