There were stretches during the 2017-18 season when former Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler would avoid giving All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns the ball consistently on offense as a protest of sorts at Towns’ inconsistent effort and execution on the defensive end, according to Zach Harper of The Athletic.

Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns had a murky relationship, and Butler reportedly got fed up with the nonchalant attitude of Towns. During the well-publicized heated practice before the 2018-19 regular season started, Butler went out of his way to challenge Towns, as well as small forward Andrew Wiggins.

Sources close to the team told The Athletic there were stretches of the 2017-18 season in which Butler would avoid giving Towns the ball consistently on offense. It was a protest of sorts at Towns’ inconsistent effort and execution on defense. A motivational tool that sacrificed shot attempts for the center while trying to galvanize a defensive effort. While sources wouldn’t offer up specific games or instances, the first half of the season seemed to be a roller coaster for Towns being involved properly in the offense.

The Timberwolves finally put an end to the Jimmy Butler trade saga when they traded the four-time All-Star to the Philadelphia 76ers. Karl-Anthony Towns has been a monster on both sides of the ball since Butler’s departure. The former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 21.6 points and 14.0 rebounds over the last nine games. The Timberwolves are 7-2 during that stretch.

Butler’s leadership style is not for everyone, and it clearly wasn’t right for Towns and Wiggins.