American basketball player Jimmy Butler is renowned for his direct and honest communication style. He discusses his role as a team player in this quote, outlining how he handles his duties on the court while not concealing his preference for playing in particular situations.
Before being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Butler, who was raised in Texas, attended Marquette University to play collegiate basketball. He's well-known for his ability to score from both inside and outside, his versatility, and his tough defense. Butler has played for a number of teams over his career, including the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and now the Miami Heat once more.
Butler is basically stating that his role as a player for any team is to do whatever it takes to help them win. He doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, but he admits that there may be speculation about which team he would prefer to play for. It's similar to stating, "I'm here to do my job and play the best I can regardless of who makes the decision."
Assume Butler works as a chef in a fine dining establishment. He claims that regardless of where he works, his responsibility is to prepare delectable meals. However, everyone is aware that he might have a favorite type of cuisine or kitchen environment, and it's easy for others to infer this from his performance when given the opportunity.
This quotation demonstrates Butler's professional outlook on integrity and teamwork. It demonstrates that, despite his preferences and objectives, his main focus is always on making a positive contribution to the team's success, much like a chef who, no matter where they are cooking, focuses on making the best meals possible.