Even though Jimmy Butler had a terrible regular season, he showed the NBA world during the postseason why he was called “Playoff Jimmy.” Despite being the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, he led the Miami Heat to an unexpected shock victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Butler helped the Heat overcome the Knicks and the Celtics en route to their second trip to the NBA Finals in four years. The story of Miami’s journey to the Finals as the eighth seed—a club that had to win the Play-In Tournament simply to be eligible—will live on in basketball legend, even if the Denver Nuggets ultimately prevailed in five games.

As a result, Butler and the Heat ought to have an outstanding season. Miami did not get Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal, two superstars who were supposedly trade bait this winter. Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, two key players from their surprising postseason run, were cut by the squad. Because of this, the Heat are depending on the 34-year-old Butler to help them reach the same level of success as they had the previous season.

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

James Harden is “one of the most transcendent players in the NBA today, an elite talent with a unique personality and voice on and off the court,” according to Sports Illustrated’s editor-in-chief, Stephen Cannella. To prepare for Sports Illustrated’s upcoming coverage of the NBA season, we needed an interesting insider’s viewpoint. Jimmy seems to have it all, judging by how comfortable he is discussing both tennis and basketball.