Jimmy Butler ‘Not Playing’ About Asking Mason Plumlee To Pay $2,500 Fine
NBA star Jimmy Butler is apparently not very happy about the $2,500 fine he received after being slapped with a technical foul Tuesday.
Jimmy Butler wants Mason Plumlee to pay the fine for technical foul: I’m not playing https://t.co/RLTjOdDIeF pic.twitter.com/nPBS4TWpyM
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) November 25, 2015
According to Bleacher Report, the technical foul was called on Butler during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls vs Portland Trailblazers game Tuesday night. Plumlee executed a hard screen set that knocked Butler to the floor. Moments later, Butler retaliated essentially with a sweep kick that took Mason down to the floor with him.
Mason Plumlee levels Jimmy Butler with a shoulder, Butler trips him and they go after each other https://t.co/iUiTKfCTIm — The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) November 25, 2015
As soon as the two players got back on their feet, the tension boiled over and erupted into an explosive confrontation on the court. Even though the players were separated before anything drastic happened, both were penalized with fouls. Instead of receiving a flagrant foul like Plumlee, however, Jimmy Butler received a technical foul — an offense that leads to a $2,500 fine.
During an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, the 26-year-old player made it clear who he thought should pay the fine — and it wasn’t him.
“Basketball, emotions, that’s part of the game. Yeah, he cost me $2,500. I’m going to ask him to pay me back, and I’m not playing. I’m going to ask, nicely. Yeah, I’m going to get that. I’m going to tell my agent to e-mail or something. I know it’s like MisterDukie@yahoo.com or something.”
According to CSN Chicago, Butler further claimed that Mason Plumlee approached that particular play like he was playing a completely different sport.
“He thought he was playing football for a second there. Almost had to let the Fort Greene Projects out of me, Brooklyn, you know what I’m saying?”
The altercation clearly did not slow Jimmy Butler down or hinder his overall performance. Once the fourth quarter came to an end, the Chicago Bulls added another victory to the season record. As an added bonus, Butler scored 22 points himself, helping the Bulls win by five points (93-88).
Based on the reactions posted on Twitter to the Jimmy Butler vs Mason Plumlee altercation, many fans and critics seem to have mixed feelings and thoughts about the incident.
PHOTO: Damian Lillard (right) tries to stop Mason Plumlee (left) giving Jimmy Butler that free beef with his tires pic.twitter.com/LRSOJk8HSc
— Dane Carbaugh (@danecarbaugh) November 25, 2015
Things are getting chippy at Moda, where Jimmy Butler and Mason Plumlee have to be separated to avoid an altercation.
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) November 25, 2015
Haha jimmy butler leg locked mason plumlee then butler got mad. #whatttttttttt
— Victor Tran (@Veectooor) November 25, 2015
I guess @masonplumlee is getting under Jimmy Butler’s skin a bit.
— Team Mom (@tcbbiggs) November 25, 2015
Jimmy Butler intentionally trips Mason Plumlee and then tries to run up on him. Throw Butler out. That’s a dirty play
—. (@SmokingHotTakes) November 25, 2015
Even if Jimmy Butler is not successful at getting Mason to pay his fine, chances are that it’s not going to create much of a dent in his wallet. With his new five-year contract that pays over $15 million a year, paying a $2,500 fine is not going to ruin Jimmy’s financial status.
Nearly two weeks before he was drafted to the NBA, Jimmy Butler opened up about his past struggles during an interview with ESPN, including the claim that his mother kicked him out at the age of 13.
However, he made it clear to the interviewer that he didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him because of that.
“Please, I know you’re going to write something. I’m just asking you, don’t write it in a way that makes people feel sorry for me. I hate that. There’s nothing to feel sorry about. I love what happened to me. It made me who I am. I’m grateful for the challenges I’ve faced. Please, don’t make them feel sorry for me.”
Jimmy Butler was first selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In addition to appearing in the NBA All-Star Game during the 2014-15 season, Butler was also named the NBA’s Most Improved Player during the same year.
[Image Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images]