Butler and Thibodeau back together again
The United States enters as the heavy favorite to bring home gold in basketball for the third consecutive Olympics. Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler is one of the players tasked with making sure this expectation becomes a reality.
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Butler accepted an invitation to play for Team USA back in June, marking the first time in his career he has represented his country in the Olympics. He joins a star-studded cast of players, although mainstays such as Chris Paul, LeBron James and James Harden will not participate in the Olympics this summer.
As Chicago Tribune writer K.C. Johnson noted in a recent article, Butler’s reduced role on Team USA will provide him with practice for learning how to play with superstar teammates. Being relegated to a vastly diminished role on a team full of superstars should provide a sort of reality check for Butler.
His forceful attempt to grab the leadership reigns and dominate the ball on offense was a big reason for the undoing of the Chicago Bulls last season. He won’t be able to do either of these things on Team USA.
For now, Butler has said all the right things in regards to how he will approach his role on a team full of superstars.
"Like coach (Mike Krzyzewski) said, everybody has to sacrifice for the good of the team. My role is to do whatever it takes to help us win. I’d better star in that role. (Chicago Tribune, K.C. Johnson)"
The Bulls’ chances next season may hinge on Butler’s ability to get along with his teammates both on and off the basketball court.
In a reunion of sorts, former Chicago Bulls head coach and current Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau will have an opportunity to work with Jimmy Butler again as an assistant on the coaching staff for Team USA.
In five seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Thibodeau accumulated a 255-139 record (64.7 percent winning percentage) and led the Bulls to the playoffs in all five seasons.
Known for his intense coaching style and genius on the defensive side of the ball, Thibodeau earned the respect of his players through his work ethic and his will to win.
Butler on relationship w/ Thibs: “If it weren’t for him, don’t know if I’d be the player I am today. I got a lot of love & respect for him.”
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) July 28, 2016
After years of behind the scenes bickering, the Chicago Bulls front office fired Thibodeau at the conclusion of the 2014-15 NBA season.
Thibodeau has an opportunity next season to stick it to the people who fired him as he tries to lead the up-and-coming Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
For now, Thibodeau will try to maintain his spotless record with Team USA (U.S. is 13-0 in international competition since he became an assistant in 2013) as they go for the gold next month in Rio.
Next: Spain