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Bulls pick up option on hard-working Butler

The Bulls picked up the third-year option on Jimmy Butler, which keeps the 6-foot-9 forward under contract through the 2013-14 season.

Butler was the Bulls’ first-round draft pick in 2011, chosen No. 30 overall out of Marquette.

“I think they just see how hard I work and how much I want to stay here,” Butler said. “Day in and day out, I’m here early and I leave late.

“I learn a lot, too. I thank my teammates every day for giving me another opportunity, because they show me how hard you have to work in order to stay here. I’m just following in Lu (Deng) and Rip (Hamilton) and Kirk (Hinrich’s) footsteps.”

Hinrich feels ready:Guard Kirk Hinrich participated in practice Tuesday and is expected to start in Wednesday#146;s season opener. Hinrich suffered a groin strain in the Oct. 23 game against Oklahoma City and sat out the preseason finale.#147;As long as there are no problems (he#146;ll start against Sacramento),#148; Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. #147;He went through two full practices and he didn#146;t have any problem with it. He did fine.#148;This game will officially begin Hinrich#146;s second stint with the Bulls. He was traded away on draft night 2010.#147;There#146;s probably going to be a lot of adrenaline,#148; Hinrich said. #147;I#146;m very excited. We had a pretty decent preseason, but Wednesday#146;s the real thing and just excited to get it going.#148;Long-distant deficiency:One cause for concern during preseason is the Bulls were the worst 3-point shooting team in the league, at 25.8 percent.#147;We#146;ve got to keep working on it,#148; coach Tom Thibodeau said. #147;If we take the right threes, if they#146;re inside-out ... we have guys who have shown they can be very good 3-point shooters throughout their career. As long as they#146;re the right ones, they#146;ll continue to take them.#148;

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