The way of life that Jimmy Butler leads is reminiscent of something that might be found in a Hollywood film.

That is the basketball equivalent of “The Blind Side,” which is the motivational story of Michael Oher’s journey from being a homeless teenager to becoming a National Football League star, which was made famous by the film “Sandra Bullock.”

Michelle Lambert took Jimmy Butler in when he was 17 years old. Her decision was to take him in.Attribution: Alamy

This was not the first time that Lambert has encountered children.Thank you to Alamy

Butler was named NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVPCredit: EPA

After being abandoned by his father as an infant, Butler’s mother kicked him out at 13.

“I don’t like your look. The Miami Heat star recalled his mother’s last words to him.

The teenager from Tomball, Texas, bounced around from house to house for four years, which could have easily broken him.

In his senior year of high school, Butlеr made a friend with Jordan Leslie at a basketball camp shooting challenge.

Two student athletes became fast friends and afterwards. Lеsliе’s mother, Michelle Lambert, chose Butler despite already having children of her own.

Lambert insisted on setting ground rules for Butler, such as a curfew and boosting his school performance.

With the hope of finally having stability, he accepted.

“I told him my kids looked up to him,” Lambert told ESPN.

“He had to avoid trouble. Try hard in school. He needed an example. You know what? Jimmy did.

“He did everything I asked without questions.”

Butler expresses gratitude to Lambert, whom he now considers his “mom,” for the opportunity given to him.

“They accepted me into their family,” Butler said.

Basketball wasn’t the reason. Her eyes were just staring.

“She just did that. I couldn’t believe it.”

Butler’s basketball career took off, averaging 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for Tomball High School Cougars in his senior season.

An NBA career seemed distant, but Butler secured a scholarship at nearby Tyler Junior College after being rejected by other universities.

Butler received offers from Marquette, Kentucky, Clеmson, Mississippi State, and Iowa State after an excellent season at Tyler.

In 2008, Butler transferred to Marquette, attracting NBA scouts after scoring against the University of Connecticut and St. John’s.

Butler achieved the seemingly unattainable dream as a homeless teen when the Chicago Bulls drafted him 30th in the NBA Draft in 2011.

“His story is one of the most remarkable I’ve seen in my years of basketball,” said an NBA general manager at the 2011 Draft.

Many times in his life, he was set up to fail.

Every time, he became quite odd.

“When talking to him, and he hesitates to discuss his life, you feel that this kid has greatness within him.”

Despite earning over $180 million, Butler prefers to focus on the future rather than the past in his profession and life.

“If I stay stuck in the past, I won’t get any better,” he told Chicago magazine in 2015.

“I won’t change; I’ll remain that kid. Not who I am.

“I’m so far ahead of that.”

After leaving the Bulls in 2017, Butler bounced around the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, reflecting his upbringing.

He has found his home at the Heat, leading them to their second NBA Finals in a row after a tҺrilling seven-game Eastern Conference Finals win against the Boston Celtics.

As he prepares to face Nicola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, Butler seeks to write the final chapter of his remarkable life.

Butler left college after transferring to Marquette.

Butler joined the Minnesota Timberwolves from the Chicago Bulls.

He found a home at Miami Heat.