NBA all star Jimmy Butler has collected a number of accolades during his career in basketball - including an Olympic Gold medal in 2016 - but poker fans are unlikely to see him dragging any more pots at Hustler Casino Live (HCL).
Nick Vertucci, a creator, producer and player on the HCL live stream, announced that Butler is not welcome back following his last appearance in a game back in June which also featured the likes of Neymar, Dan Bilzerian, Ryan Garcia and Alan Keating.
Vertucci shared the details behind his decision during a live-streamed HCL cash game on Monday featuring Bruce Buffer, Sashimi and numerous other players, some of whom were present at the session in question.
Watch the clip above to see Vertucci’s explanation and the reaction of the players at the table.
What did Jimmy Butler do to get barred?
According to Vertucci, Butler was rude to the dealers, staff and other players, but that’s only part of the reason ‘Jimmy Buckets’ won’t be receiving another invite to join the HCL game. Vertucci also alleges that:
- Butler sat out for an hour and a half, refusing to play until soccer star Neymar joined the game
- Once Neymar arrived, he insisted he be seated closer to him
- Butler got ‘very upset’ that players were straddling as he didn’t understand the idea
- When the ‘stand up game’ was introduced Butler refused to play and made a scene, leaving his seat and yelling “I’m not f***ing coming back” and “I’m the real one”
- When Vertucci introduced himself as one of the owners of the game and tried to placate him, Butler was rude and dismissive to the point of being offensive
While Vertucci admitted that some of the above behavior was merely the type of “prima donna stuff” that celebrities are sometimes expected to exhibit, he was more scathing about Butler’s treatment of his fans.
According to Vertucci, Butler was unkind to one young fan who had waited on the sidelines to speak to him. "That's not okay," said Vertucci to the players at the table, "You're making millions of dollars and you've got fans, just be nice." Vertucci also claimed Butler staged a video of himself giving out $100 bills to fans in the crowd - fans who Vertucci says were actually members of Butler’s entourage and were going to give the money back to him.
Vertucci pointed out that other players in the game, including boxers Ryan Garcia and Chris Eubank Jr., soccer phenom Neymar and e-sports star Ninja were ‘class acts’.
“I don't care how many viewers he brings, he was rude,” Vertucci claimed, adding “He needs to know that you can't treat people like that… he's not welcome back.” But given how Butler ended up leaving the game, would he even come back if asked?
Did you watch Butler play back in June? Is Vertucci justified in his decision? Let us know your take in the comments below.
Images courtesy of HCL/Erik Drost/Wikimedia
