Watch as Jimmy Butler Is Booed During Intros in Return vs. Timberwolves

Megan ArmstrongContributor IIIMarch 31, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers laces up sneakers in the locker room before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

David Sherman/Getty Images

The people of Minnesota were not necessarily Midwestern nice to Jimmy Butler on Saturday evening.

Butler made his return to Target Center for the first time as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. As the All-Star guard was being introduced, Timberwolves fans lathered him in boos. Butler flashed a smile in response in a video shared by NBC Sports Philadelphia:

NBC Sports Philadelphia @NBCSPhilly
Welcome (er not really) back to Minnesota, Jimmy 😂 Butler is met with quite a chorus of boo's from the crowd in Minnesota...which he meets with a smile. https://t.co/6vbWJGixVp

Butler said, according to the New York Times, earlier this week that he expected to hear boos in Minnesota. The 29-year-old embraced it by lacing up Jordans that included sole inserts reading, "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain"—a famous quote from The Dark Knight.

NBA KICKS @NBAKicks
Jimmy Butler laces up his Jordan Supreme Elevation in Minnesota! #NBAKicks https://t.co/5y0aiLaBpa

The Timberwolves dealt Butler to Philly on Nov. 12, following Butler's trade request in September that turned into a public and drawn-out saga.

Entering Saturday's matchup in Minnesota, Butler is averaging 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season. The Sixers have already clinched a playoff spot, sitting in third in the Eastern Conference.

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