Butler: Chicago Bulls' off-court chemistry like a college team
Jimmy Butler delivered his State of the Bulls address on Tuesday.
As one might expect, there were plenty of positive messages to reflect a somewhat surprising 10-6 start. They'll return to play the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on Wednesday for the first home game in 18 days.
Butler's primary topics were the chemistry that has developed off the court among the players, along with a culture of hard work that spread quickly.
"I think of it like this: I don't see what else you have to do all day," Butler said after practice. "I don't. The job that we have, it's incredibly lenient. Like, you practice for an hour and a half, what do you do the rest of your day? Why don't you come in here, work on your game? Shoot? Watch some film? All you're going to do is sit at home and play some video games on your phone anyway.
"These guys are buying into that, which is great. And when you fall in love with the process, you find out that your confidence only comes from the work anyway."
Newcomers Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, with four NBA championships among them, helped set a competitive tone. Butler was quick to buy in and tried to cultivate some of the togetherness he experienced this summer with the U.S. Olympic team.
At the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Team USA players got plenty of TV time off the court, whether they were attending swimming or beach volleyball together. Butler also carried on to Olympics reporters about how he would be a great NFL wide receiver.
This Bulls team has spent more time together away from the practice floor than any he's experienced during his six seasons in Chicago, Butler said.
"As much as you see guys around each other, you'd think we live in a dorm together," he said. "We all leave the building at the same time, we all eat together or are at somebody else's house. You would think, good or bad, that we are a college team. We're always talking in a group chat or competing. Something about this group of guys, we always want to be around each other."
Thanks to social media, there is evidence of a team movie night in Salt Lake City, an escape room challenge in Denver and various events hosted by Wade. The Bulls held their annual bowling party for sponsors on Tuesday.
Butler believes getting to know teammates on a personal level can influence basketball success.
"You've got to know what's going on in peoples' lives off the floor," he said. "You're going to have more in common, because when you're off the floor you're still talking about the game. You might (say), 'Yo, I love being in this corner. When I'm in this corner I'm shooting 95 percent.'
"You're like, 'OK, I'm going to find you in that corner.' Even though you don't think you're talking about the game, you're really talking about the game."
This would be a good time for the Bulls to capitalize on their chemistry. The Lakers game starts a run of 13 of 19 games at home.
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Scouting report
Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center, 7 p.m. Wednesday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: Since losing to the Bulls 118-110 in L.A. on Nov. 20, the Lakers have pulled out victories over Oklahoma City and Atlanta. Despite a tough schedule, including three games against Golden State, the Lakers were 9-9 heading into Tuesday's game at New Orleans. Second-year PG D'Angelo Williams (16.1 ppg) is out with a knee issue, leaving three veterans as the team's top scorers - SG Lou Williams (16.6), PG Jordan Clarkson (15.4) and SG Nick Young (14.1). PF Julius Randle (13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds) was listed as questionable for Tuesdaywith a hip pointer. Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 40 points in the first meeting. The Lakers have dropped five straight at the UC.
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center on Friday, 7 p.m.
- Mike McGraw