Jimmy Butler started for the Bulls last night

[Marqevans]

He was the first player announced. Got a big hand from the crowd. Scored 18 points.

[LloydMooresLegs]

And after his name was announced, got jumped by Nate Robinson.  Luckily it wasn't Daequan Cook.   .   

Great reviews in the papers, and announced as the unofficial Bulls "star of the game".  Typical Jimmy quote from Trib:  "I'd rather not score and win the game."   

[buckchuckler]

He started because Deng didn't play.  Sadly I don't think it will be a regular thing.  Played great though.  Put up the same numbers Deng would have pretty much. 

[LloydMooresLegs]

I don't think you're suggesting that he should start ahead of Deng, or that he is essentially the same player, are you?  I love Jimmy and drinking my blue and gold Kool-aide, but that would be ridiculous.  He doesn't have the range and finishing ability on offense, and isn't quite the shut-down defender at Deng is on defense.

That said, I believe that he has the skill set and the drive to reach Deng's level.

[jeffreyweee]

I don't think you're suggesting that he should start ahead of Deng, or that he is essentially the same player, are you?  I love Jimmy and drinking my blue and gold Kool-aide, but that would be ridiculous.  He doesn't have the range and finishing ability on offense, and isn't quite the shut-down defender at Deng is on defense.

That said, I believe that he has the skill set and the drive to reach Deng's level.

Jimmy is athletically superior to Deng. I'm not sure he's got the raw basketball talent to get to Deng's level but he's quicker, jumps higher and runs faster. I'd love to see Jimmy regularly get 30 minutes so that he can develop appropriately so that when we lose Deng in a year we'll have an ample replacement.

[StillWarriors]

Jimmy is athletically superior to Deng. I'm not sure he's got the raw basketball talent to get to Deng's level but he's quicker, jumps higher and runs faster. I'd love to see Jimmy regularly get 30 minutes so that he can develop appropriately so that when we lose Deng in a year we'll have an ample replacement.

I love Jimmy, but not so sure about Jimmy being athletically superior to Deng. Deng is a pretty darn good athlete, he's also 6'9" to Jimmy's 6'7". You can't guard the guys he does at  6'9" without being a pretty special athlete. Why would the Bulls lose Deng in a year? Amnestying Boozer is going to open up some cap space. Thibs loves Deng.

[LastWarrior]

Jimmy is athletically superior to Deng.

I'm a Bulls fan and I LOVE JFB but athletically superior to Deng?  You might be drinking a bit too much MU kool-aid.  Deng has been injured which is limiting him a bit but if healthy Deng would wipe the floor with Jimmy.

[JoBo2756]

This is nonsense. Deng is a MUCH better basketball player than JFB. Jimmy is showing some great signs of a bright future. Happy its with my team too.

[jeffreyweee]

I'm a Bulls fan and I LOVE JFB but athletically superior to Deng?  You might be drinking a bit too much MU kool-aid.  Deng has been injured which is limiting him a bit but if healthy Deng would wipe the floor with Jimmy.

I'm not saying he's a better player, he's just a better athlete. He runs faster, jumps higher and changes direction quicker.

And we're likely to lose Deng because we won't be able to afford him. Amnestying Boozer doesn't fix the bulls cap space problems with Taj's deal, Joakim's deal and Derrick's deal - it's just reality. If we don't lose Deng we probably lose Joakim. Jo is much less injury prone, and harder to replace especially after losing Omer.

[buckchuckler]

I don't think you're suggesting that he should start ahead of Deng, or that he is essentially the same player, are you?  I love Jimmy and drinking my blue and gold Kool-aide, but that would be ridiculous.  He doesn't have the range and finishing ability on offense, and isn't quite the shut-down defender at Deng is on defense.

That said, I believe that he has the skill set and the drive to reach Deng's level.

No that isn't what I meant.  I just meant that JB had a great game and gave the team what it could typically expect from Deng production wise. 

[LloydMooresLegs]

True.

[CrazyEcho]

Not that I even care about the Bulls, but it's pretty safe to say that Butler is more athletic than Deng (although Deng is obviously longer):

No step Vert:
Butler: 31''
Deng: 27.5''

Lane Agility:
Butler: 11.30
Deng: 11.46

3/4 Court Sprint:
Butler: 3.31
Deng: 3.34

[LastWarrior]

I'm not saying he's a better player, he's just a better athlete. He runs faster, jumps higher and changes direction quicker.

This is nonsense.  Have you ever watched Deng play?

[StillWarriors]

This is nonsense.  Have you ever watched Deng play?

Agreed

[RushmoreAcademy]

If coaches only played the best athlete's Steve Nash wouldn't have ever won an MVP award.  I love JFB, but he's not close to Luol yet.   Thib's problem is that Luol plays WAY too many minutes, and it sure would be nice if a JFB could start to supplement more of those.

[seakm4]

All Deng needs are some P.F. flyers then he'll run faster and jump higher...guaranteed.

[TallTitan34]

Off topic, but I absolutely hate Nate Robinson.  And I'm a Bulls fan.

I wonder how many more points Jimmy could have had if Nate didn't jack up crappy shot after crappy shot on almost every possession. 

[MUSF]

Off topic, but I absolutely hate Nate Robinson.  And I'm a Bulls fan.

I wonder how many more points Jimmy could have had if Nate didn't jack up crappy shot after crappy shot on almost every possession. 

I absolutely hate Bulls fans... but also hate Nate Robinson.

[RushmoreAcademy]

I absolutely hate Bulls fans... but also hate Nate Robinson.

You've got to get in line to hate that guy.

[TallTitan34]

Chicago Tribune Live is talking about Jimmy guarding Kobe tonight.  Everyone in Chicago is very high on JFB.