On January 7, 2012, few could’ve predicted who Jimmy Butler would become. The rookie wing, drafted 30th overall out of Marquette, came off the bench and scored a season-high 12 points in a loss to Detroit. It was a modest box score, but it reflected the traits that would define his career—toughness, timing, and a nonstop motor. Butler’s path to this moment was anything but easy: unranked in high school, overlooked by recruiters, a JUCO player turned two-star prospect. He earned his shot, earned every minute, and earned this bucket. Over time, he’d become a multi-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most respected players in the league. But here, in his rookie year, it was all still ahead of him. · Jan 8, 2012