Jimmy Butler has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. Recently, he voiced a concern that has been a long-standing issue for the team: the tendency of Miami Heat fans to arrive late to home games.
In a candid interview with pop star Camila Cabello for Complex, Butler highlighted both the best and worst aspects of playing in Miami. While he praised the city’s vibrant culture and delicious food, he didn’t hold back about his frustration with the fans’ tardiness.
“The worst part, to me, our fans never show up on time,” Butler said. “I was like, ‘Damn, I want it to be rocking from like the jump ball. Fans, come on! We need y’all'”.
“The worst part, to me, our fans never show up on time. I was like, ‘Damn, I want it to be rocking from like the jump ball.” pic.twitter.com/wuOu7u5i3U
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) June 29, 2024
This isn’t a new complaint. The phenomenon of late-arriving fans has been a running joke for years, even during the era of the “Big Three” – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Despite this, the Heat have consistently ranked high in attendance, boasting the fourth-highest average attendance in the league for the 2023-24 season.
Butler’s comments come at a time when the Heat are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season that ended in a first-round playoff exit. The team is hoping that a more punctual and energetic crowd can help create a more intimidating home-court advantage.
While traffic and Miami’s laid-back culture are often cited as reasons for the late arrivals, Butler’s plea is a reminder of the impact that a fully engaged and timely crowd can have on the team’s performance. As the Heat prepare for the upcoming season, fans will hopefully take Butler’s words to heart and ensure that the Kaseya Center is “rocking from the jump ball.”
