Bulls' Hoiberg not surprised by Butler's big week

Jimmy Butler lost out to Toronto's DeMar DeRozan for Eastern Conference player of the week. Those two players have more in common these days.

Both are 27-year-old wings who played on the U.S. Olympic team this summer and seem to be taking another step toward stardom this season. While DeRozan led the league in scoring at 34.0 points per game through Sunday, Butler is coming off a week in which he averaged 29 points, 7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 4 steals.

"I saw it in training camp. I know the type of offseason he had," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said of Butler. "It was huge for him to play on the Olympic team, to play with all of those top-level players and get that experience. He brought that mentality back. The thing I've loved about him is how he's continued to talk; he's been a great leader with his voice this year."

Hoiberg said the Bulls have used Butler as a facilitator more this season as far as putting the ball in his hands, especially when they're in the bonus. Butler averaged 11.5 free-throw attempts per game last week.

"He's a big-time player," teammate Robin Lopez said. "I can't express how much easier it makes it on everybody else on the floor having somebody like that on both (ends of the court). I can only hope we're making it as easy as possible on him."

Lopez eyes book store:

Robin Lopez spent two seasons playing for Portland from 2013-15, and was looking forward to going back after Monday's practice.

"I did enjoy (Portland)," Lopez said. "I'm from the West Coast (Southern California originally), I'm a West Coast guy. Great food, great art scene, it's really green. I love Powell's book store, four floors of books. It's not bad."

Asked if he'd visit the book store after Tuesday's shootaround, Lopez said no.

"If I go there after shootaround, I'll get lost in there and I won't make it to the game," he said.

Lopez said he's a fan of going on road trips where there's a chance to get to know his teammates better. He mentioned he's in the early stages of developing a friendship with rookie Paul Zipser.

"It's great being on the road with the guys. You definitely get to know their habits a little better," Lopez said. "It's always kind of nice just a change of pace, too. I don't like five games in a row at home, five games on the road. I like mixing it up. At least on the road, you're changing cities."

Bulls horns:

The Bulls recalled shooting guard R.J. Hunter from the D-League's Windy City Bulls and he's expected to stay with the NBA Bulls during the circus road trip. Hunter averaged 17 points in two D-League games, but hit just 4 of 19 shots from 3-point range.

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said injured guard Michael Carter-Williams will also go on the trip and is making good progress in his recovery from a left knee bone bruise.