Are Jimmy Butler’s Minutes Sustainable?
By Paul Steeno
Dec 27, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket while defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Butler’s Chicago teammates are the first group of people to point out how much better Jimmy Butler is playing this year as opposed to seasons past. Many have sounded off on the incredible season that Butler is having thus far. Quotes courtesy of ESPN reporter Nick Friedell.
Noah on Butler: "He's looking real comfortable out there and that's huge for us. Jimmy's a stud."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 28, 2014
More Noah on Butler: "Not only is he a great scorer, but he's a top defender. Like top, like defensive player of the year type of defender"
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 28, 2014
Prior to the Bull’s Monday evening match-up against Indiana, Pacers had coach Frank Vogel praised Butler for the off-the-charts improvement that he has demonstrated this season. Once again, the information presented courtesy of ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
Frank Vogel admits he sees similarities between the offensive leap Jimmy Butler has taken and the one Paul George took a couple years ago.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 29, 2014
Jimmy Butler’s own coach, Tom Thibodeau, had even higher praise for his new star pupil. Thibodeau’s praise of Butler is reminiscent of how the coach talked about Rose during his MVP season. Thibodeau’s most transparently positive comments regarding Butler came after the small forward dropped 35 points on the New York Knicks on December 18th.
"“Thank god for Jimmy Butler,” said Tom Thibodeau. “Big shots, plays defense, gets to line, makes plays, plays unselfishly and hard. Doesn’t take plays off.”"
Vogel, Thibodeau and Noah confirmed what many fans of Chicago already knew: Jimmy Butler is playing out of his mind right now and is vitally important for the long-term success of this team. That is why it is so important to explore the question of whether Butler’s current workload is sustainable throughout an entire season. The Bulls become a significantly less dangerous team if Butler is either a). injured b). worn down to the point where he isn’t playing at his full potential. During the 2014-2015 season, the Chicago Bulls may very well go as Butler goes. He is that important to the well-being of the team.