During the 2018-19 NBA season, Jimmy Butler was involved in what Karl-Anthony Towns referred to as an infamous practice. Butler and a group of backups went up against the team's starters and reportedly won scrimmages. During this intense practice, Butler yelled at then-team president and coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, among others. Towns recalled that he and Butler argued during the practice, but Towns later tried to take the high road by telling Butler he just wanted to win. Butler confirmed the heated practice in a televised interview with Rachel Nichols at the time and said a lot of what was being reported was true. He explained that he loves the game and is passionate about competing with the best. However, he admitted that he could have handled the situation better. Thibodeau first coached and then traded Butler away, and now they face each other in the NBA playoffs as Thibodeau coaches the New York Knicks and Butler plays for the Miami Heat.