Despite being one of the best players in the NBA, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is humble enough to admire other professional athletes. The basketball player forged a great relationship with Neymar, whom he looks up to not only because of his ability on the field, but also for his parenthood.
"I see him as a brother, you know what I mean? And I’ll go support, he knows this. I’ll fly anywhere to go watch my brother play. But whenever I do get there, we’re always just kicking it, talking about life, FaceTiming each other’s kids. It’s a real family vibe around him, and around all the people that I’m around. He’s an incredible dad," Butler said about the Brazilian in an interview with The Guardian. “He does so much for them, and he’s always around them, teaching them everything about life, about whatever they want to put their mind to. Man, it’s incredible to watch. And I learn from it."
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Butler declares himself a fan of his friend Neymar
The fact that they"re friends doesn"t change the way Butler looks up to Neymar. "Yes, I’m still a massive fan. And yes, I still ask him for tips – [I’ll say] ‘I just want one one-thousandth of the talent and skill that you have,’" the Heat star said. "But I’m telling you, it’s just laughing, messing around, competing in everything, just some really good people."
Neymar back in the house for Game 4!#NBACelebRow pic.twitter.com/Ua6sWBr3BL
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2023
Butler met Neymar in 2016 during the Olympic Games in Rio. From then on, they have rooted for each other and even went to watch each other live. Last year, the Al-Hilal star attended the NBA Finals between Miami and Denver to support Butler.
"He’s [obviously] a great footballer," Butler said about Neymar. “He’s actually pretty good at basketball, too. Actually, now that I think about it, that little (expletive) is good at almost everything."
