Five things Timberwolves fans need to know about Jimmy Butler

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 28: Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves meets with Timberwolves staff at the Mayo Clinic Square offices and tours Target Field and US Bank Stadium on June 28, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Butler only looks forward, not back

Butler has grown from the hardships and curveballs life has thrown at him and they have helped him become what he is today. Despite that fact, he still refuses to look back and only wants to focus on improving his future, so much so that he took it to a literal sense and tore off his rear-view mirror in his car.

It may seem like a safety concern, especially when he was driving through Chicago traffic, but his reasons are just. From Bryan Smith at chicagomag.com:

"“I hated it whenever it came up because that’s all anybody ever wanted to talk about. Like, that hasn’t gotten me to where I am today. I’m a great basketball player because of my work. I’m a good basketball player because of the people I have around me. And if I continue to be stuck in the past, then I won’t get any better. I won’t change, I’ll get stuck as that kid. That’s not who I am. I’m so far ahead of that. I don’t hold grudges. I still talk to my family. My mom. My father. We love each other. That’s never going to change.”"

Again, a great attitude, borne out of a rough upbringing. But certainly an attitude that benefits him well when it comes to getting better at his craft, and picking up and moving forward when times get tough. After all, tough times in NBA life must only pale in comparison to what he went through as a child.

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