Pat Riley would have had the Heat unretire Michael Jordan’s No. 23 for Jimmy Butler.
MIAMI — The Miami Heat were so determined to sign Jimmy Butler away from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 NBA free agency that Heat president Pat Riley promised to take No. 23 out of the rafters.
Michael Jordan’s number 23.
Butler revealed the news on his Instagram account on Sunday, explaining it in a video shot during a promotional visit at a sports goods store.
In addressing jerseys and the numbers he has worn during his career, Butler stated, “I guess 21 is it for me. That brought back memories of my time in Chicago. I will never wear 21 again. You cannot wear 23 here due to M.J. Pat Riley literally retired it. But I’ll say this: whenever I came here, Pat informed me I could wear 23. “But I said no.”
Shortly after Butler’s Instagram post, Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, tweeted, “What’s crazy is this post reminded me I had the jersey. I removed it from the manikin that was in the room when we met. I had just gone through my office like Doc Brown looking for the schematic of the flux capacitor, when
Butler began his NBA career with the Bulls wearing No. 21, but later switched to No. 23 with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. He now wears No. 22 for the Heat, who will play in the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night after taking a four-day break.
Jordan’s No. 23 is hung on the south wall of Kaseya Center, near a No. 13 Miami Dolphins jersey honoring Dan Marino. These jerseys are displayed separately from the Heat’s retired numbers for Alonzo Mourning (33), Tim Hardaway (10), Shaquille O’Neal (32), Chris Bosh (1), and Dwyane Wade (3).
Riley told Jordan, who had only played in the NBA for the Bulls and Washington Wizards, that No. 23 would be retired permanently from Heat service.
“In honor of your greatness and for all you’ve done for the game of basketball – and not only in the NBA, but for all the fans around the world – we want to honor you tonight by hanging your jersey, forever, No. 23, from the rafters,” Riley said at the unveiling of the No. 23 jersey. “And no player will ever wear the number 23 for the Miami Heat again. “You are the best.”
Riley would go on to remark that retiring No. 23 is honorable, noting, “Having our guys walk onto the court and look up to see how high you have to climb to reach what he has achieved.” I simply believe he deserves it. The guy has been the greatest player in the history of the game, and I believe it would be a good idea for every team in this league to display his number in the rafters as a reminder of what excellence entails.”
Jordan remarked of the accolade, “It was by far the best gift I could have received.” “Having your jersey retired in someone else’s building means a lot.”
Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 38 career games versus the Heat.
Prior to Butler’s arrival, LeBron James changed his No. 23 jersey from the Cleveland Cavaliers to No. 6 when he joined the Miami Heat in 2010.
At the time, James stated on the Heat retiring Jordan’s No. 23, “I just think that what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized in some way soon.” Without Michael Jordan, there would be no LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or Dwyane Wade.
When James returned to the Cavaliers, he wore No. 23, as he has since with the Los Angeles Lakers.
