Jimmy Butler’s Top 5 Performances Of 2014-15 Season

February 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler (21) shoots a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Even in ugly double OT loss, Butler still balls out

One of the worst losses for the Bulls out of their 32 during the 2014-15 season was a double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in January. It was the second loss of a four-loss-in-five-game span, but Jimmy Butler still found a way to keep the Bulls in a game where the Bulls were just … bad.

Butler hit nine of his 17 shot attempts in 49 minutes of action, but his relentlessness to get to the basket kept the Bulls hanging around on the road. In the loss, Butler shot 18 free throws (made 16), and dropped 35 points on the Lakers, with seven rebounds.

The Bulls needed every one of Butler free throw attempts that night. Backcourt mate Derrick Rose missed 19(!) of his 26 shot attempts (while possibly playing on a torn meniscus), but the Bulls got a throwback showing from Joakim Noah, who flirted with a triple-double (nine points, 17 rebounds and nine assists).

Pau Gasol also scored 20 points in his return to Los Angeles after signing with the Bulls as Chicago’s backup plan to missing out on Carmelo Anthony.

Next: 2. Butler does (literally) everything in playoff loss to Milwaukee