Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Claims Pat Riley Was Willing To Unretire Michael Jordan's No. 23
In 2003, the Miami Heat retired Chicago Bulls' legend Michael Jordan's No. 23 jersey out of respect.
Heat team president Pat Riley was behind the move but Jimmy Butler recently said they offered the number to him when he was acquired via trade in 2019.
Butler has worn No. 22 in Miami since he was acquired. That's not to say he hasn't had a No. 23 impact with the Heat. He led them to the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. After a first-round loss to the Milwaukee Bucks the following season, Butler has led the Heat to back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference finals.
They play either the Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics in the next round.
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