“J-I-MMM-YYYY BUTLER:” the announcer yells, and the crowd goes wild as Jimmy Butler scores a three pointer. Many Miami Heat fans are beginning to wonder if they will hear this iconic chant again. 

Fans started to enter this state of wonder post-loss to the Indiana Pacers. Butler expressed in an interview that he wants to feel joy again when playing basketball. He then was asked if he could continue to find joy in the Miami Heat, and proceeded to say ‘probably not.’

This intense answer began to stir the pot between the team, the fans and the coaches. Butler was suspended on Jan. 3 for a seven-game period. For Miami Palmetto Senior High sophomore Emma Parra, this was an extreme letdown. Parra has dedicated lots of her time going to games and supporting Butler throughout his career.

“I’ve been a Heat fan since I was literally born, because my dad has had season tickets for more than 20 years. So I’ve been going to games since I was a baby,” Parra said. “I have been a die-hard Jimmy fan ever since he was drafted to the Heat about six years ago.”

Parra and her family admire Butler’s ability to make the Heat a more competitive team, as well as bring the team more personality. She enjoys seeing his new hairstyle every other game, and watching him do what he loves to do.

“Most people don’t consider the Heat as a team that can go forward or win, but [Butler] has proven them wrong time and time again. He has taken us to the conference finals, and I believe that he makes us a better team,” Parra said.

Butler returned from his suspension on Jan. 17 for a game against the Denver Nuggets, in which he scored 18 points. Even though Butler is back in action, tensions are definitely high. 

What Butler said brought varying opinions from Heat fans, but Parra’s opinion will never change.

“I will always be rooting for [Butler],” Parra said.