Are Jimmy Butler’s Minutes Sustainable?
By Paul Steeno
3. Give McDermott Playing Time When He Comes Back From Injury
Rookie Doug McDermott is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him up to 6 weeks from the time he sustained the injury. Finding a way to increase his minutes later on in the season, could go a long way into reducing the minutes that Jimmy Butler needs to play.
Nov 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) takes a shot as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) and forward James Johnson (3) defend during the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
With McDermott back in the fold and Mirotic getting some more playing time at the three guard position, that creates a full house in terms of a rotation at the two guard and small forward positions. If Thibodeau concedes and utilizes that full rotation, he does the Bulls a favor by exponentially decreasing the wear and tear that Jimmy is exposed to during the course of the 82 game season.
The Chicago Bulls are built to win a championship this season. With all the right personnel in Chicago, the trick is to keep all these guys healthy. Expanding the rotation and finding creative roster combinations to reduce the necessity of playing Butler 40+ minutes increases the Bulls likelihood of accomplishing their ultimate goal of winning a championship trophy this season.