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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Broncos fans rooting for Miami’s Jimmy Butler, friend of the late Demaryius Thomas

Jimmy Butler Demaryius Thomas Broncos DT (Person) Nuggets Miami Denver (Organization) Denver Broncos NBA the NBA Finals

The Denver Nuggets fell to the Miami Heat 111-108 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena on Sunday evening. The series is now tied 1-1 going into Wednesday’s game in Miami.

While most Denver Broncos fans are also fans of the Nuggets, many Broncos fans are rooting for Heat small forward Jimmy Butler, a good friend of late Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

Before the NBA Finals started, Brandon Krisztal of KOA Radio asked Butler about his friendship with Thomas and playing in the Finals against Denver.

“That’s my guy, my brother forever,” Butler said last week. “I miss him so much. I spent so much time here with him, watching him be great. He motivated me, because his story is really, really incredible through everything that he’s been through to make it and do what he did for the Broncos. I actually have a lot of love for this city. I miss that guy.

“I wish he was here to sit courtside and watch me do my thing, because we talked about this all the time. Maybe not Denver vs. my team, but just being able to watch me win a championship like he did.”

Butler scored 21 points while adding nine assists and four rebounds on Sunday.

While we’re rooting for the Nuggets to win the series, we’re also supporting Butler.

Thomas died from complications of seizure disorder at age 33 in December 2021. A Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowler, Thomas ranks second on Denver’s all-time receiving list with 9,055 yards.

Butler, 33, is a six-time NBA All-Star. He is seeking the first championship title of his career in these NBA Finals against Denver.

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