Jimmy Butler, Tom Thibodeau Booed by T-Wolves Home Fans vs. Cavaliers
Minnesota Timberwolves fans have mixed feelings about the recent actions of All-Star Jimmy Butler and head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Prior to the T-Wolves' home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Butler and Thibodeau received a chorus of boos from the Target Center crowd during introductions:
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The fans didn't stop voicing their opinion when the game started. Baseball Prospectus' Aaron Gleeman noted Butler was being booed every time he touched the ball. However, later in the game, fans started to chant "MVP!" for Butler, who finished with 33 points.
"I love it. I love it," Butler said, per ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. "I think people kind of love to hate me sometimes. Say whatever you want to say, but it really makes me smile, what people think about me. But no matter what, you gotta respect my effort."
Butler has been seeking a trade from the Timberwolves, but the team has kept the 29-year-old on the roster to start the regular season.
Thibodeau, who also serves as Minnesota's president of basketball operations, was unable to convince Butler to change his stance on wanting to leave the organization.
Despite the apparent bad blood between Butler and the Timberwolves, the four-time All-Star isn't holding out. He scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the San Antonio Spurs before helping his team earn a 131-123 win over the Cavs.
