Chicago Bulls Midseason Grades: Butler shines, Wade and Rondo shrug

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after making a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after making a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmy Butler

Stats: 36.8 minutes, 24.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 45.3 FG%, 35.0 3PT%, 87.0 FT%

(stats are per game and current as of Jan. 31)

Grade: A

Recent drama aside, Jimmy Butler has raised his game to a whole new level this season. Only four players in the NBA are getting to the free throw line more times per 100 possessions than Butler. He’s become an elite isolation scorer, evidenced by the multiple game winners this season, and he’s averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, per 100 possessions.

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Butler has actually cooled off after even stronger play to start the season. He’s still wreaking havoc on the defensive end while shouldering a larger load on offense once again. Whether it’s rising up over his man for a pull-up jumper, driving to the hoop and drawing the foul, or finding an open shooter on the wing, Jimmy is locked in offensively in a special way. Once the fourth quarter rolls around, Butler takes his game to another level still.

Butler has a strong case of being a top 10 player in the NBA right now, and when he sits, the Bulls are downright putrid. Chicago has a plus-2.2 net rating with Butler on the court, and a minus-8.6 net rating with him off, and that’s about all you need to know.

There have been some lingering questions about Butler’s ability to lead a team, however. He and Dwyane Wade caused a stir around the league last week after they spent their postgame interviews questioning the commitment of their fellow teammates after a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Butler is well-known for his formidably intense work-ethic, and it seems he expects the same out of his teammates.

The problem is that sometimes hard work isn’t all it takes, and no matter how hard he tries, Doug McDermott is not locking guys down on the perimeter anytime soon.