McGraw: Bulls' Butler taking his game higher
When the Bulls signed Pau Gasol as a free agent this summer instead of Carmelo Anthony, it seemed as though Taj Gibson might be a lock for the Sixth Man Award, since Gasol's arrival meant Gibson would continue in a reserve role.
Three weeks into the season, a different Bull seems to have the best shot at an NBA award: Jimmy Butler for most improved.
How much better has Butler been?
"He's having an all-star season," Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers said after Monday's loss to the Bulls.
Maybe it's too soon to mail Butler an all-star invite, but the numbers support such a statement.
The fourth-year guard is the Bulls' top scorer at 21.3 points per game, while his rebounds (6.2), assists (3.9) and field-goal percentage (.508) are way ahead of last year's pace, when he averaged 13.1 points and shot .397.
What has made Butler especially effective this season is his ability to draw fouls. Through Tuesday's games, he ranked seventh in the league in free-throw attempts at 8.0 per game. It also helps the scoring average when he knocks down 80 percent of his free throws.
"I just look to be aggressive," Butler said recently. "If that's taking an open shot, getting into the paint, to the line, I think that's what I have to do is be aggressive at my position."
Butler scored a career-high 32 points against Indiana last Saturday, but Monday's win over the Clippers really showcased his improved offense. Butler actually got off to a slow start, hitting 1 of 7 shots before knocking down the buzzer-beating jumper and 3-point play at the end of the first half.
As the Bulls dominated the second half, Butler hit more shots, got to the line and finished with a team-high 22 points.
"I think each year he's gotten better and I think this was the next step for him," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's had his moments in the past. Last year was an up-and-down year because of all the injuries.
"But he's healthy; he was in great shape this summer. He got lighter. I think he understands the league really well and he's strong on both sides of the ball. He's scoring a lot of different ways."
Butler hasn't slacked off defensively with the uptick in offense. Last week he helped force Toronto all-star DeMar DeRozan into a 3-for-17 shooting night.
Against the Clippers, one standout defensive play occurred late in the second quarter when Blake Griffin brought the ball upcourt on a partial break.
With the burly Griffin picking up a full head of steam, most defenders would jump out of the way. Butler pressured, though, forced Griffin into a behind-the-back dribble, then reached in and poked the ball away for a break-stopping steal.
The improvement comes at an opportune time. Butler will be a restricted free agent next summer and if he continues this pace, a max contract worth around $15 million per year will be a foregone conclusion.
Durability remains a key component. According to nba.com, Butler leads the league in distance run, at 2.8 miles per game. He ranks second in the league in minutes played at 40.3, trailing only Oklahoma City's Reggie Jackson.
Last year Butler suffered a turf-toe injury nine games into the season, missed three weeks and was never quite the same offensively. So far this year Butler survived a sprained left thumb, which kept him out of the first two regular-season games, and came back shooting the ball well.
Rose, Gasol questionable:
Derrick Rose said he's feeling better, and he participated in Wednesday's practice in Los Angeles. Pau Gasol did not practice and both players are listed as questionable for Thursday's game in Sacramento.
Expect plenty of caution with a tough back-to-back games coming up against the Kings, then Portland. Rose has missed two games with a left-hamstring strain and Gasol one with a left-calf strain.
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