Butler shrugs off snub
MILWAUKEE — One dream ended quickly for Bulls forward Jimmy Butler. He was not in the “talent pool” released Wednesday for the rookie-sophomore game during all-star weekend.
The league unveiled a list of 18 players — nine rookies and nine sophomores. Like last year, TNT studio analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will pick the teams. New this time is that fans will be able to vote online for starting lineups.
Asked about the snub before Wednesday’s game in Milwaukee, Butler shrugged it off, saying he’s already part of the team he wants to be on.
“I let it fall off. I don’t look at things like that because that’s more of an individual thing,” Butler said. “Kudos to those guys because they’re great players and they’re really talented. But I love this team and I want to play with these guys. I’ll do whatever it takes for this team to win. I’m a competitor. Would I compete in that game? Of course. But I’m a Bulls player.”
The list of sophomore players includes Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving, Denver forward Kenneth Faried, Houston forward Chandler Parsons, Golden State guard Klay Thompson, Cleveland power forward Tristan Thompson, Orlando center Nikola Vucevic, Charlotte guard Kemba Walker, Detroit guard Brandon Knight and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard. Irving is also in the regular all-star game.
The rookies are Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Damian Lillard (Portland), Harrison Barnes (Golden State), Andre Drummond (Detroit), Bradley Beal (Washington), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte), Alexey Shved (Minnesota), plus Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller from Cleveland.
Some of Butler’s teammates are holding out hope that he will be invited to the slam dunk contest.
Rose is full-go in practice:As nonspecific as the Bulls have been with recent Derrick Rose injury updates, it does seem clear that there are no more steps left. When he#146;s had the appropriate amount of practice time, he#146;ll start playing in games.Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed at Wednesday#146;s shootaround that Rose is ready for anything in practice.#147;He can do all the cutting, he can do shooting, he can go off the dribble,#148; Thibodeau said, according to espn.com. #147;So it#146;s just a matter of him getting acclimated to playing in a game situation.#148;The Bulls aren#146;t doing much all-out, 5-on-5 scrimmaging these days. They#146;ve been bringing in some of the reserve players early to play against Rose.No vacation for Butler:Jimmy Butler grew up in the Houston suburb of Tomball, Tex., so he#146;s thinking about heading home during NBA all-star weekend. The game is at Houston#146;s Toyota #147;Yeah, since it#146;s home, I#146;ve thought about it,#148; he said. #147;But then also, I want to go see Ronnie (Brewer) in Arkansas, also I want to be here working. No days off. That#146;s the motto I live by. So as it gets closer, I guess we#146;ll find out.#148;Bull horns:After pounding Detroit 117-90 on Tuesday, the Bucks had to spend the night in Michigan because an engine on the team plane wouldn#146;t start. ... The NBA chose Brooklyn center Brook Lopez to replace Rajon Rondo on the East all-star team, passing over Milwaukee guard Brandon Jennings. #147;I thought Brandon deserved to be selected ... (but) hard to complain about Brooklyn getting a guy in,#148; said Bucks coach Jim Boylan.