Jimmy Butler is one of the most versatile and charismatic players in the NBA.
He is also one of the few stars who have their own signature sneakers with a Chinese brand, Li-Ning.
In this article, we will take a look at Jimmy Butler’s shoes, how he got his deal with Li-Ning, and what makes his sneakers stand out from the rest.
PHOTO Courtesy | Li-Ning
How Jimmy Butler Signed with Li-Ning
Jimmy Butler was previously signed with Nike’s Jordan Brand, but he decided to cut ties with them in 2019, ten months before his contract expired.
He said he wanted to explore other options and find a brand that matched his personality and style.
He signed with Li-Ning in November 2020, joining other NBA players like CJ McCollum, D’Angelo Russell, and RJ Hampton.
Li-Ning is one of the biggest sports brands in China, founded by former Olympic gymnast Li Ning.
The company has been expanding its presence in the global market, especially in basketball.
Jimmy Butler said he was impressed by Li-Ning’s vision and creativity, and he felt a connection with the brand’s founder.
He also liked the idea of having more control over his sneaker design and marketing.
He said, “I think it’s a perfect match for me because I get to be involved in every aspect of it.”
Jimmy Butler Shoes: LiNing
Now, while Jimmy’s performance has been impressive thus far, his tenure with the Miami Heat has been nothing short of extraordinary.
He has consistently maintained his averages of 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, but more importantly, he has elevated the Heat to a prominent position in the Eastern Conference.
In his debut season, he led the Heat all the way to the NBA Finals, although they unfortunately fell short against the LeBron-led Los Angeles Lakers.
Throughout his four seasons with the Heat, he earned the honor of being selected to the All-Star team twice, secured a spot on the All-NBA team three times, and even made an appearance on the all-defensive team once.
Under his leadership, the Heat reached the NBA Finals twice and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals on one occasion.
All in all, it’s been an impressive journey, to say the least.
Speaking of his choice of sneakers, during his initial season with the Heat, Jimmy predominantly sported Jordans.
However, a significant shift occurred when he signed with LiNing.
The first LiNing model Jimmy embraced was the Yushuai 14, and he continued to showcase his skills in various other LiNing models like the LiNing Speed 7 and the Speed 8.
Jimmy Butler Adidas Shoes
The 2011 NBA Draft showcased a crop of exceptional talents, including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, and Nikola Vučević.
In hindsight that seems astonishing, Jimmy was chosen as the final pick of the first round by the Chicago Bulls. Consequently, his NBA journey commenced at a measured pace.
During his debut season, he participated in a mere 42 games, all as a non-starter, and averaged just over 2 points per game.
Progress came in his second season when Butler’s playing time increased to 26 minutes per game, featuring in all 82 regular-season games, with 20 as a starter, and he managed to record 8.6 points per game.
This particular season was marked by Derrick Rose’s absence due to ACL surgery, leading to increased on-court opportunities for Butler.
The third season marked Jimmy Butler’s emergence as a pivotal figure in the Bulls’ lineup.
He earned a spot in the starting lineup, averaging 38 minutes per game and impressive statistics of 13.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.
His contributions played a crucial role in leading the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs and establishing them as one of the most formidable teams in the NBA during that period.
Throughout his initial three years in the league, Jimmy was under contract with Adidas, a prominent basketball brand at the time.
Adidas boasted a remarkable roster of NBA players and held the esteemed position of the NBA’s official athletic sponsor.
It was indeed a prosperous era for Adidas in the basketball market.
During this time, Jimmy sported various Adidas team models, but the standout kicks were undeniably his vibrant red and black Crazy 8s.
He also graced the court in Adidas top 10s, Tmac 1s, and select DRose models, but none could eclipse the iconic status of those bright red Adidas Crazy 8s.
Upon the conclusion of his three-year contract with Adidas, Jimmy embarked on a journey to explore his options.
Jimmy Butler Shoes: Jordan Brand
In the early stages of the 2015-16 season, Jimmy severed his association with Adidas and inked a deal with Jordan Brand, despite accepting a substantial reduction in his earnings.
It was evident that Butler’s preference for Jordan Brand surpassed any other sneaker label, to the extent that he was willing to accept a staggering 75% decrease in his income.
Jimmy’s favored choice from Jordan Brand was undeniably the Jordan 31.
While he did don Jordan 29s, Jordan 32s, Low PE, Jordan Superflys, and Jordan Supreme Elevations on occasion, he consistently gravitated towards the Jordan 31 whenever other models didn’t quite suit his preferences.
Even during his tenure with the Miami Heat, he continued to rely on the Jordan 31, even though Jordan Brand had progressed to the Jordan 36.
However, in January 2020, nine months before the initially agreed-upon contract expiration date, Jimmy parted ways with Michael Jordan’s company.
This decision might have stemmed from his dissatisfaction with Jordan Brand, given the significant pay cut, the absence of his own signature shoe, and the perception that the brand was not designing shoes that aligned with his on-court requirements.
A notable example of this was the Jordan Supreme Elevation, which wasn’t a signature shoe but rather a “Jimmy Butler shoe.”
Although he frequently wore this model during the 2018-19 season, it exhibited noticeable stability and containment issues, prompting Jimmy to frequently revert to using the Jordan 31.
What Makes Jimmy Butler’s Shoes Unique
Jimmy Butler’s first signature sneaker with Li-Ning is called the JB1.
It was officially released in October 2020, and it features a sleek and futuristic design.
The shoe has a woven upper material that changes colors depending on the angle of view.
It also has an electroplated TPU cage that gives it a shiny and flame-like appearance.
The Li-Ning logo on the side is also gradient-colored, while the outsole is orange.
The first colorway of the JB1 is named “Tough”, inspired by Jimmy Butler’s toughness and leadership on the court.
He said, “I think that’s what I bring to any team that I play for. I’m tough, I’m resilient, I don’t quit.”
The JB1 also has some personal touches from Jimmy Butler, such as his initials and jersey number on the tongue, his signature on the heel, and his motto “Be Your Own Goat” on the insole.
The shoe also has some hidden messages on the midsole, such as “Big Face Coffee”, which is Jimmy Butler’s coffee business that he started in the NBA bubble.
The JB1 is not only stylish but also functional.
It has a cushioned midsole that provides comfort and stability, as well as a rubber outsole that offers traction and durability.
The shoe is designed to suit Jimmy Butler’s versatile game, as he can play multiple positions and roles on the court.
Conclusion
Jimmy Butler’s shoes are a reflection of his personality and performance.
They are bold, colorful, and innovative, just like him.
They also show his passion and dedication to basketball and business.
