BEFORE the 2018/19 NBA season got underway, stories emerged of a disgruntled NBA superstar tearing shreds through his teammates at practice.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were falling apart before the first game of the season and the man at the bottom of it all was superstar Jimmy Butler.
In what was set to be his second season in Minnesota after a six-year stint in Chicago, Butler returned to the team and challenged his teammates and coaches in a heated practice session.
And while the fractured union between the player and the team continues into the early stages of the season, the reported broken relationship with his teammates may not be all that it seems.
Butler delivered in stunning fashion for a 22-year-old teammate who wanted nothing more than to attend his little brothers college debut.
Tyus Jones was desperate to be in Indiana for college basketball’s Champions Classic and watch younger brother Tre play his first minutes for Duke.
Jones was reportedly searching for a flight to make it to the game in time before making it to Los Angeles in time for the Timberwolves’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Unfortunately he wasn’t able to track down a suitable flight and looked set to miss the opening game of the college season … enter Butler.
Butler who has a salary of $28 million this season alone, came up big time as he chartered a private jet for himself and his teammate.
At the last minute however, Butler ended up not being able to make the flight, but gave the go ahead for Jones to take the plane for the game.
Jones made it to the clash and watched on as his alma matter Duke and his little brother convincingly took care of business against Kentucky, winning 118-84.
His name may continue to be associated with the turmoil that’s unfolding in Minnesota, but when it matters most Jimmy Butler is there for his teammates.
BLAZERS STARS DISRESPECTFUL ACT
Donte DiVincenzo may sound like the name of an historical painter, but on Wednesday he was put on a canvas by Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum.
The Milwaukee Bucks rookie found himself stranded one-on-one trying to guard the player who had continually torched the team and it’s an understatement to say he came off worse for wear.
A devastating crossover from McCollum sent DiVincenzo sprawling to the hardwood and imitating a game of twister midgame.
But McCollum wasn’t done there as he added insult to injury by throwing in another crossover before knocking down a floater in the lane to end the third quarter.
The stunning move of pure disrespect caught the attention of NBA Twitter.
McCollum ended the contest with 40 points as the Blazers handed the Bucks their second loss of the season with the 118-103 win.
HORNETS ROOKIE’S DUNK OF THE YEAR
Miles Bridges has major hops and against the Atlanta Hawks he showed them off in brutal fashion.
After missing a corner three in the opening quarter, Bridges’ teammates Willy Henangomez grabbed the rebound and found Bridges cutting towards the rim.
As he grabbed the ball, he planted his feet into the hardwood and sprung upwards and detonated the ball into the net.
The reaction of the rookie, who was taken with the 20th pick in the 2018 NBA draft, and his teammates said it all.
Only three weeks into the season and the rookie in Charlotte may just have put one hand on the dunk of the year title.
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