Jimmy Butler showed the NBA world why he was dubbed “Playoff Jimmy” once the postseason started, despite his dismal regular season performance. He guided the Miami Heat to an unexpected upset victory over the eighth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, despite their position as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Butler led the Heat to their second NBA Finals trip in four years by helping them defeat the Knicks and the Celtics. Even though the Denver Nuggets ultimately won in five games, the tale of Miami’s voyage to the Finals as the eighth seed—a team that had to win the Play-In Tournament just to be eligible—will endure in basketball lore.

Butler and the Heat should have a great season as a result. Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, two superstars who were reportedly trade bait this offseason, were not acquired by Miami. Two important members of their unexpected playoff run, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, left the team. The Heat are counting on the 34-year-old Butler to help them achieve the same degree of success as they did the year before because of this.

For all of these reasons and more, Butler was selected as the cover star for Sports Illustrated’s 2023–24 NBA Preview issue.

Editor-in-chief of Sports Illustrated Stephen Cannella said James Harden “one of the most transcendent players in the NBA today, an elite talent with a unique personality and voice on and off the court.” In preparation for Sports Illustrated’s impending NBA season coverage, we needed an intriguing insider’s perspective. Jimmy has it all, as evidenced by his ease talking about both basketball and tennis.