Watch: Jimmy Butler's offseason training regime lands him in 'Sweden forest' ahead of 2024-25 NBA season
Jimmy Butler has been in Stockholm, Sweden, for some time now. Three days ago, he shared on Instagram that he went to the Tele 2 Arena to catch Justin Timberlake’s “The Forget Tomorrow World Tour.” Butler had a blast, even singing along to some of the singer’s hits.
While Timberlake left the city to go to Lyon, France, for the next stage of the concert, Butler chose to remain. On Friday, the Miami Heat star updated his fans with what he has been doing with an Instagram post.
One fan posted Butler's practice on X, with the caption:
"They got Jimmy Butler training in the Sweden forest preparing for next season."
The Heat recently announced that they will have their training camp at Baha Mar in the Bahamas from Oct. 1-5. Butler has roughly three weeks left to get back in shape. He hasn’t been idle, though, based on the workout he shared on social media.
“Jimmy Buckets” last played in the NBA in April during Miami’s Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Butler suffered an MCL injury, forcing him to a rehab program that lasted six weeks. The six-time All-Star looked healthy in his workouts in Stockholm, news that should delight Heat fans.
Miami Heat need a healthy Jimmy Butler to challenge Boston Celtics
To emerge top out of the East, the Miami Heat will likely have to get past their rivals, the Boston Celtics, the defending NBA champions. Without Jimmy Butler, the Cs had little trouble dispatching the Heat in five games in the first round of the playoffs last season. “Jimmy Buckets” watched from the sidelines as he recovered from an MCL injury to his right knee.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra still has Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez Jr. to count on. But if Butler remains hobbled with injuries, Miami will significantly lack the firepower to challenge the best teams in the East.
The Heat need a healthy Jimmy Butler to contend, not just against the Celtics. They also have to face serious opposition from the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, teams that upgraded in the offseason.
Pat Riley, Heat president of basketball operations, only added Alec Burks in the offseason, together with rookies Pelle Larsson and Kel’el Ware. Spoelstra is expected to make the most out of his roster, but the East is stacked. If Butler’s knees, which have troubled him the past four seasons, refuse to cooperate, Miami will struggle to earn a playoff ticket.
Jimmy Butler didn’t look bothered by the MCL injury that cut his campaign short last season. Heat fans are desperately hoping he shrugs off the injury bug next season to have a chance of beating the Boston Celtics.