With his 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in last night's convincing win over the Denver Nuggets, he was the Bulls' leading scorer and one of the teams' leading rebounders. But you can't really "see" Butler's impact on the game by just browsing the box score.
Jimmy Butler is the guy deflecting passes, disrupting the timing of an offensive play, or coming up with the tip that allows the Bulls to secure the rebound. None of these things will be accounted for in the box score or the article about the game the next day, but for the knowledgeable basketball fan, and more importantly, his Chicago Bulls teammates and coaches, it is about doing the little things that lead to the win.
Even though last season saw Jimmy Butler assume the starting shooting guard role (while Luol Deng was still a member of the Bulls playing small forward) on the strength of his growth from the year before, as well as, his incredible playoff series against nemesis Lebron James and the Miami Heat.
Despite struggling offensively in the starting role (his shooting percentages dipped from 46.7% to 39.7% and his three-point shooting dropped from a respectable 38.1% to 28.3%), possibly due to the increase in minutes, as well as, the increased focus on his offensive role after Luol Deng was traded to Cleveland, what remained true was his work and dedication on the defensive end.
With the growing respect of the media, as well as his peers, since his strong play in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Butler was recognized for his efforts by being selected to the 2014 All-Defensive Second Team.
But this is a new season. However, judging by his performances in the previous two games, Jimmy Butler plans on not only reprising his role as a demon on defense, but he is quickly growing to become both Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose's favorite target as a cutter on offense. With the two new adept passers capable of hitting him on his cuts and his strength and ability to finish at the rim. Butler will see his field goal percentage skyrocket from all the easy baskets.
Butler has also been in the spotlight for another reason, and that is the rapidly approaching deadline for the Chicago Bulls front office and Butler to agree on a contract extension that will keep the 4th year wing off of the free agency market. Recent deals for Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons belie the shortage of quality young, two-way shooting guards, and it would indicate that Butler will be making some very good money very soon.
And hopefully, it will be in a Chicago Bulls uniform for a long time to come.
What do you think of Jimmy Butler's game, and what are your expectations for him this season with the Chicago Bulls?
