Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Clippers Game Outlook: Butler, Lopez, CP3
Jimmy Butler
It feels like it doesn’t even need to be said at this point of the season. All Butler has done is play like one of the two or three best two-way wings in the entire league. It seemed like the gap between Butler and Kawhi Leonard might be widening, with Leonard leaving Butler behind, but so far this season that hasn’t been the case.
Butler is one of the Three Alphas, but to date he’s been the One Alpha on the court. Wade has had some big games because has been inconsistent and doesn’t bring the same ability and effort on the defensive end of the floor that he contributes on offense. Wade is the Alpha that brings the PR and media savvy. Rajon Rondo is the Alpha that thinks he’s an Alpha and everyone else plays along because they don’t want to be mean to “Jerian Grant’s backup.”
Through 11 games, Butler has put up at least seven assists three times, has double-doubles in points and rebounds against the Blazers and the Jazz, and put up a ridiculous 37 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals against the Washington Wizards a week ago.
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Everything is coming up Butler right now. He’s absolutely playing the best basketball of his career right now and that is the only saving grace for this Chicago squad. He’s not going to have an easy night, Luc Mbah a Moute isn’t a big offensive threat, but he should be a stout defender. Perhaps they even throw J.J. Redick at Butler occasionally. Doubles could come from DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin, too. Given that, Butler will need to stay in the flow where he is the primary ball handler or staying in motion and away from ISO post-ups.
If I had to bet, I’d lean on a big offensive night from Butler if he avoids those double team situations if he is matched up defensively with Mbah a Moute. He might slump a bit if they have him trying to chase Redick all night as that will sap a lot of the energy he’ll need to carry this team offensively. And that will be something to watch. Wade can’t stick with Redick for 38 minutes, McDermott hasn’t been cleared from concussion protocol to rejoin team, and that means you’re trusting Redick coverage to Isaiah Canaan or Denzel Valentine if Rajon Rondo doesn’t play and Jerian Grant plays as the primary point guard again.
Butler probably doesn’t have a third consecutive double-double in him, but expect the scoring and defense to be in full effect.