Are Jimmy Butler’s Minutes Sustainable?
By Paul Steeno
Dec 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) steals the ball from Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) during the second quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The most puzzling component of Butler’s 40+ minute workload is the fact that the Bulls really don’t need him to play this much to win with the depth that they have accumulated on this roster. One of a flurry of creative rotation moves could alleviate the necessity of having Butler play 40+ minutes per game affording the small forward some much needed rest.
1. Two point guard line-up + Dunleavy at Small Forward
The Chicago Bulls currently have 4 serviceable point guards on their roster. Couple any combination of the four at the one and two guard position + Dunleavy at the three and Thibodeau has suddenly found a way to give Butler some rest in short stretches throughout the course of a 48 minute contest.
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Derrick Rose has always possessed the tools to play effectively in the two guard slot. He is a natural scorer, and sometimes his natural tendency to attack aggressively becomes counterproductive because he doesn’t take the time to set up the offense. Rose’s ability to break down defenses with his driving ability has always led to open teammates, and he has definitely become more proficient at finding open teammates while aggressively attacking the rim.
However, he still isn’t the greatest at getting the team into their offensive sets and rarely does he make effective passes from the top of the key. Most of his perimeter passes are dump-offs to other wing players or nonchalant passes inside to posted up big men. In certain situations, switching Rose to the two guard and opting to have Hinrich, Moore or Brooks at the point could be mutually beneficial for all involved.
Obviously, the Bulls aren’t going to abandon having Rose play the point guard position. However, in certain situations, playing him at the two guard with E’twaun Moore or Kirk Hinrich at the point could afford the Butler the opportunity to rest if Dunleavy fills the remaining small forward position.