Jimmy Butler’s playoff performances often draw comparisons to NBA legends like Michael Jordan, but the real similarity between them might not be what you think.

While Jimmy typically maintains a relatively quiet regular season, averaging in the low 20s and keeping his team competitive, it’s the playoffs where he truly shines, transforming into an unstoppable force. His astounding performance in the 2023 playoffs, leading the 8th-seeded Miami Heat to the NBA finals, left fans in awe and reignited age-old rumors that he might be the offspring of the 6-time champion Michael Jordan.

Recently, Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade shared insights during his appearance on the Club Shay Shay Podcast, hosted by NFL legend Shannon Sharpe. Wade, a former teammate of Jimmy Butler, shed light on a shared trait between Butler and His Airness—both have a knack for using motivation through agitation. Michael Jordan was renowned for finding reasons to get under his opponents’ skin, fueling his competitive fire. His relentless drive was famously depicted in “The Last Dance” documentary, showcasing his ability to get into the heads of his rivals during his six NBA Championship runs.

According to Wade, Jimmy Butler possesses the same quality in his personality. While fans have witnessed Jimmy’s playoff switch, it’s fueled by his ability to channel frustration towards his opponents. This attribute was on full display during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals when Butler took control of Game 2 following a heated exchange with Celtics Forward Grant Williams. Observing Butler’s competitive nature and remarkable playoff performances, fans playfully dubbed him the “son of Michael Jordan.”

The rumor of Michael Jordan possibly fathering Jimmy Butler has long fascinated NBA enthusiasts. The speculation began around 2016 when an anonymous source claimed that MJ had an undisclosed child and had paid the mother to keep it secret. Rumors circulated that MJ’s alleged illegitimate child had been evicted from their mother’s home after Jordan ceased financial support. Fans began connecting the dots, notably because Jimmy Butler had experienced a similar upbringing, being kicked out of his mother’s house at a young age. While these rumors continue to entertain fans, they remain speculative and unsubstantiated.