Jimmy Butler and Amir Johnson’s press conference after last night’s game was intriguing, to say the least.

For starters, Amir hasn’t been playing much, so I can’t remember the last time he’s been at the postgame table. Butler wasn’t interested in answering questions, and instead spent more of the seven minutes and 37 seconds badgering and prodding Johnson instead.

It resulted in some goofy exchanges, sandwiched between thoughtful Amir responses to questions about his role on the team and ability to step in and provide a veteran presence when necessary.

He held Nik Vucevic to 2-9 shooting last night on 35 offensive possessions, keeping the All-Star center eight points below his season average.

Said Amir on what was working for him:

Just sticking to our game plan defensively, doing my job, not trying to mess up. That’s what a veteran guy does I guess, get in there and just play hard. I mean do your best to do your job, get stops.

At that point, Butler entered the room and asked to sit on the side of the table where Johnson was sitting.

Johnson: Man, shut up dog, this is not your side. This is my good side.

Butler: Yes sir. You can do whatever you want. It’s your show. You’re answering all the questions. I’m just up here for moral support.

Johnson: Can I get a shout out?

Butler: Shout yourself out.

Amir was then asked what it’s like to enter the lineup after not playing for large chunks of the season, if there are any jitters or nervous moments about getting back on the floor.

After the jump:

No, not at all. I just know how to do my job, you know whether I’m starting on the bench, I’ve played both sides, I’ve played D League, which is the G League now, you know just the only thing I can control is myself and me staying ready. So any chance I get to play or whatever it is I’m doing on the court I’m always ready.

That answer took place while Butler was doing this:

I asked Amir what it was like to go down to Delaware last Friday night to get some minutes with the Blue Coats, to which Butler quipped, “I’m trying to do that too, to tell you the truth.”

Johnson:

It’s fun, I mean for me it felt like playing late night pick-up ball with my friends. That’s the feeling I got, you know, just having fun playing basketball, not really worried about getting subbed out or anything else. You just go out there and just be free and play.

Amir is 31 years old and in his 14th NBA season. Not every veteran would welcome a G League assignment to stay fit and get minutes. Few would actually request to do that, as Johnson did.

So I asked if there was a pride aspect regarding Delaware, if maybe that’s a moment of reflection in a long career:

No, it’s basketball, man, it’s just basketball. It’s what we’ve been playing all our life, it’s what we love to do. It just comes to a point where we want to go do that, especially for me.

At that point, Butler chimed in, “Do you think they’ll let me play in the G League?”

Later in the press conference, Jimmy asked Amir why he took the microphone out of holder if he wasn’t going to speak into it:

Yeah. No dull moments whenever Butler is up there, but good answers from Amir and a good game last night against Orlando.