Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Explains Friendship With Former Teammate Pau Gasol

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler developed a strong bond with Pau Gasol when they were teammates with the Chicago Bulls.

So, naturally, Butler wanted to show support when Gasol's Los Angeles Lakers jersey was retired earlier this week. Butler left Miami so he could attend the ceremony.

Butler recently explained the decision to make the quick trip to Los Angeles in the middle of the Heat's postseason run.

"Very important for me," Butler said. "Pau has been a brother to me since obviously our Chicago days. He really taught me how to be a pro, what it's like being a champion and me wanting to get there one day. I wouldn't miss that for the world. I miss him, as I tell him all the time. We stay in touch all the time. I'm sure I'll see him this summer, whether it be in [California], in Spain. Somewhere, somehow, I'm going to find a way to sit down and have dinner with my guy."

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