Despite a summer that’s already included traveling to China and attending the ESPYs, things haven’t really changed for Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler heading into his third NBA season. In a recent phone interview with CSNChicago.com, Butler took the same tact he did when he started to emerge during the second half of the regular season, crediting his teammates for instilling confidence in him. “I’m confident. I feel like my teammates are always telling me that I can belong here and that I can play. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be in this organization. That just gives me that will to work harder, to be great,” explained the Texas native, back in Chicago and back to his daily routine of individual workouts at the Berto Center. “I just posted a picture on Instagram of all the greats that’s up in our practice facility and if you want to be like them, you’ve got to continue to work. You can never settle. I’m always going to do what got me to this point, being an underdog and working extremely hard. And now that you’ve got a great player [Derrick Rose] surrounding you, I like our chances of winning this championship.” But even as he brushes off the suggestion that he plays a large role in the Bulls’ success, there’s an aura of confidence in Butler’s words. Although he wasn’t invited to participate in the ongoing USA Basketball mini-camp in Las Vegas — not to disparage any of the players in attendance, but Butler, who was under consideration, according to a league source, has as much potential and is just as deserving as several of Select Team members — after stepping into the starting lineup on a permanent basis, he’s now regarded as one of the NBA’s more promising youngsters. From the abilities he possessed upon arriving in Chicago, such as his defensive prowess, uncanny offensive rebounding for a perimeter player and high-flying athleticism, to gradual developments, like his improved outside jumper, blossoming one-on-one scoring ability and the durability to play consecutive full playoff games while matched up against league MVP LeBron James, Butler displayed the type of upside that’s caused Bulls management and coaches alike to smile when his name is mentioned long after last season ended. Read more http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls-talk/after-breakout-season-bulls-butler-keeping-same-mentality
Here's how LeBron did with Jimmy guarding him in the playoffs: Game 1: 24 pts 8-17 shooting 8 reb 7 ast 2 steal 2 TOV Game 2: 19 pts 7-12 shooting 5 reb 9 ast 3 steal 3 TOV Game 3: 25 pts 6-17 shooting 8 reb 7 ast 2 steal 1 TOV Game 4: 27 pts 9-20 shooting 7 reb 8 ast 2 steal 5 TOV Game 5: 23 pts 5-14 shooting 7 reb 8 ast 2 steal 2 TOV I don't think Deng would have done any better. It's a myth that there's defense that stops another player. Even Rose was able to score points under withering defense.
Butler does his job and there's no backdown in him. He's very important to the Bulls chances this coming season.
Don't really care about his tshirt. Was listening to WSCR yesterday though and Dan Bernstein let it slip that Butler was one of the group of four Marquette basketball players who allegedly sexually assaulted a girl on campus in 2011. There's some dark stuff from the Trib: It's a sad reminder that we don't know these people (athletes) at all and that there is something a little strange about being a fan of any team.
Good points, SST. It's not just athletes, of course. It's soldiers, etc., anyone who is a "hero" in whatever sense that is used in a given culture. They are allowed to break the rules, because of their "service" to the community. And in most cases they "have" to break the rules to "serve" their team, community, whatever. Like waterboarding, steroid use, "comfort girls", etc. I guess my point is I won't condemn Jimmy for being a dick to a girl. It would be good for him to own up to it, if he has, and apologize publicly for THAT, instead of for the t-shirt. But I like what Boers and Bernstein have tried to do in challenging the hero-worship culture that enables and encourages people to do those things. It's time to separate the athlete from hero.
I'm expecting (hoping) Jimmy will have a very good season. I consider his play from the last 2-3 months to be his new floor, and think around 35 mpg, 12-14 ppg, 3-5 reb and 2-3 assists w/ 54%+ TS is what you ought to expect. I think he could go higher than that, and wouldn't be surprised. I think he's a legitimate candidate for MIP.
When Thibodeau (and most coaches) talks about what he needs his players to do in order to win, "taking care of the ball" is always very high on the list. Deng's always been a very low turnover guy and that's one of the reasons coaches love him. Butler's turnover rate was even lower than Deng's last season...pretty remarkable for a second-year guy.
All of this led to 93.2 PPG, good for 29th out of 30 teams. BBRef says our Off Rtg was 103.5, or 23rd of 30. The Heat scored 102.9 PPG, good for 5th best. Their Off Rtg was 112.3, or 2nd best.
I'm having trouble connecting this up to the discussion. Were we too loud? Did the neighbors complain?
Controlling the ball is pointless, literally. At some point you have to be able to actually score. Get the point? Sorry for the puns.
Well, all else being equal, taking good care of the ball is always better. Last year we were missing our MVP point guard so all else wasn't equal. Assuming Jimmy can maintain his heady decision making, I think the team will have the benefit of having a dynamic playmaker as well as offensive compliments who don't commit a lot of unforced errors.
