Should Jimmy Butler be more of an option on offense?

[Markusquette]

From what I know, Butler was really a solid offensive player in JUCO.  Sure it's not as tough and competitive, but does anyone else think that maybe Jimmy Butler should at least get a few looks on offense.  I think he's a decent shooter and since he's a bigger guard he might be able to cause some mismatches vs. our recent opponents.  He's obviously not one of our experienced seniors, but I would kind of like to see what he can do on offense more than just collecting a loose ball, throwing it up and getting fouled.

We might as well try to utilize him on offense if he's going to be on court, since he seems to be a bit lost on defense sometimes.  Maybe times when our big 3 or 4 aren't playing well he could get a few shots off.  I don't really see how much we can lose giving him a chance.  Thoughts?

[yellow chickens]

from what ive seen he has great ups and very good form on his shot. id like to see him be more aggressive

[strobl2]

I didn't look it up yet, but I'm pretty sure Butler averaged atleast 17.0 ppg in JUCO last year.

[Markusquette]

Yeah he also had some big scoring games so I think if he could get more comfortable on offense he might be able to get hot sometimes and become a good scoring threat, but maybe I'm wrong and he might not be ready.

[StillWarriors]

I don't know if those guys are coached to try to avoid fouls if possible because he just backed off on guys inside at least twice I can think of this weekend and gave up layups. I don't get that at all.

[MarquetteDano]

Being at the last two games really let me focus on Jimmy.  He has got a long way to go defensively.  He was getting schooled every time he was in.  I am sure he is a capable offensive player.  He has shown get can get offensive rebounds over forwards, despite his lack of size.  However, I would have to argue his +/- is probably negative agaist the better teams.  Also, 12 of his 16 rebounds are offensive.  That tells me there is seriously something wrong on the defensive end.

[schubert33]

I also feel like he looks lost out there.  I hope Fulce is going to be back soon, because they have no depth at forward off the bench.

[Markusquette]

I definitely miss Fulce, his athleticism could really benefit us.  I don't even want to start talking about how much I miss Otule right now too.

[Dish]

I mentioned this in another post, but I don't think Butler is comfortable on the court with McNeal, James and Matthews (pure speculation on my end). Being able to sit six rows behind the MU bench the last two games and seeing these guys up close, Butler looks athletic enough to be a "player", but looks lost or unsure of himself mentally.

Maybe it's just that he was "the man" for two years at the JUCO level, and a main offensive option there. Sometimes kids who are used to being a focal point of an offense come up to D1 and really struggle to find thier role.

I think Butler's ideal role is for him to come in and play 2/3 as part of a second team unit (once MU gets healthy). When he's out there with two of the three amigos, you can tell he's either frustrated or lost with his role in the offense.

[Nukem2]

Butler is spending most of his time at the 4; but, his skills are as a wing.  Probably very difficult to adapt to Div I ball while playing out of position.

[ecompt]

Tough for Jimmy to get shots when any two or three of the Amigos are on the court. If Jerel is on the court, the only way Jimmy's going to get a shot is to grab the ball from him.

[Markusquette]

Tough for Jimmy to get shots when any two or three of the Amigos are on the court. If Jerel is on the court, the only way Jimmy's going to get a shot is to grab the ball from him.

Haha that may be true.  It's too bad he has to play out of position and that he is one of our taller active players at the moment too.  Hopefully when Fulce and Otule get back he can play more at the guard position.

[nola03]

Butler can't guard a sow on ice right now. And with defense like that, I doubt he'd be outscoring his cover.

[MUWeb7]

I think they need to get him some shots. Didn't he shoot over 40% beyond the arc in JUCO? Sure its a bit different, but shooting is shooting. He showed that he can shoot, why not give him chance?

[bma725]

I think they need to get him some shots. Didn't he shoot over 40% beyond the arc in JUCO? Sure its a bit different, but shooting is shooting. He showed that he can shoot, why not give him chance?

He shot over 40%, but it was an extremely small sample size, less than 50 shots total during the season.  3 Point shooting was not his strength, most of his scoring came in the mid range game or at the basket.

[Daniel]

The first couple of games of the year, he seemed more comfortable - admittedly against easier teams, but still he scored 8 and 10 I think.

I was at the last two games too, and opponents just blew by him on the baseline - he gives up the baseline all the time.  In warm-ups he was hitting a lot of mid range and even 3s.  In the game, he passed up, IMO, a few open looks, once near the basket and once from near the arc.  I think as was said above, he might be intimidated being ont he court with the 3 amigos, but if he is out there, it isn't for defense, so get him a shot!

[77fan88warrior]

I think they need to get him some shots. Didn't he shoot over 40% beyond the arc in JUCO? Sure its a bit different, but shooting is shooting. He showed that he can shoot, why not give him chance?

You are begging for a Murf dissertation on this matter!