PG: Raptors, Jimmy Butler is your FATHER!!!

[kulaz3000]

Read on Twitter

[Repeat 3-peat]

Watch on YouTube

[Payt10]

Jimmy is Wade's spirit animal.

Those two are bff's. They're basically inseparable, lol.

[coldfish]

The superstar talk is all subjective, obviously. My criteria is simple: Can he be the best player on a championship team? My answer before the season on Jimmy was no; My answer now is I don't think so, but Jimmy is doing everything he can to prove that he can.

The biggest thing that Jimmy needs to prove is can he find ways to score efficiently against great defenses and individual defenders? Everytime he goes up against the likes of Kawhi Leonard and the Greek Freak he just doesn't look like he's in their same class at times. I think part of the problem is the roster. It's easier to hone in on guys when you aren't scared of anybody else.

In general, you are correct. Jimmy is probably not a "best player on a title team" type superstar.

Let's just be honest though. There have been 20 or so humans in history who fit that bill at their very peak. That's the bar you are setting. Guys like GA, KAT, etc. aren't it either. Unless you have a good plan for getting the next Lebron, Kobe, MJ, etc. then what do you do?

Jimmy is a classic second tier guy. Those guys generally only win with a great roster around them and fantastic coaching.

[kulaz3000]

[AKfanatic]

Jimmy is that dude..

He is his biggest critic and has that rare mentality to do what it takes to silence that critic....

Though the critic in him seems to always criticize him for not being next level

It's an endless cycle within Jimmy of clearing bars and setting higher bars.

Fans should stop doubting this dude.

[ArizonaBullsFan]

Maybe Fred is learning, he finally went to the lineup I've been waiting to see get big minutes together, and it won us the game.

Butler
Wade
McDermott
Mirotic
Felicio

It almost lost the game as well. Mirotic and Felicio were getting abused in pick and roll.

That lineup took the floor when Jimmy entered the game with 7:54 left in the 4th quarter and the Bulls down 96-83.

Over that final 12:54, they outscored Toronto 40-22.

I guess we have vastly different definitions of "almost lost the game".

[7ucchini]

Now theyve just eliminated the point guard all together, that 4th quarter, it was jimmy, wade, McDer, Niko and Felico. It was Jimmy penetrating and dishing, Jimmy penetrating and bounce passing to Wade, Jimmy penetrating and getting to the rim for the foul.

It was pretty masterful, it was the closest I've seen to Jordan-esque.

To quote the man himself,

“First off, I think I am a point guard,” Butler said without joking. “So I’ve done a heck of a lot of ball screen work, ball handling, getting into the paint and still handling, floaters, all that stuff point guards do. If I get a chance, high pick and roll more. I want some triple doubles. I’ve got to get my handle right so I can pass and get it to guys where they can make shots. I told Fred. You ask what position I play, I say point guard.”

Gives me chills...Fred is actually figuring out his rotations. I'm impressed the team not only benched Rondo, but how theyre finding their roles within the offense...most of the time I saw the starting Carter Williams run to the corner and just chill...just a little offense from Carter Williams and Grant is keeping teams honest. The spacing will only get better...like when Deng was traded, everyones roles solidified.

[Rerisen]

The superstar talk is all subjective, obviously. My criteria is simple: Can he be the best player on a championship team? My answer before the season on Jimmy was no; My answer now is I don't think so, but Jimmy is doing everything he can to prove that he can.

The biggest thing that Jimmy needs to prove is can he find ways to score efficiently against great defenses and individual defenders? Everytime he goes up against the likes of Kawhi Leonard and the Greek Freak he just doesn't look like he's in their same class at times. I think part of the problem is the roster. It's easier to hone in on guys when you aren't scared of anybody else.

In general, you are correct. Jimmy is probably not a "best player on a title team" type superstar.

Let's just be honest though. There have been 20 or so humans in history who fit that bill at their very peak. That's the bar you are setting. Guys like GA, KAT, etc. aren't it either. Unless you have a good plan for getting the next Lebron, Kobe, MJ, etc. then what do you do?

Jimmy is a classic second tier guy. Those guys generally only win with a great roster around them and fantastic coaching.

Our best bet is the 2011 Mavericks model. Not good odds, but better than thinking we'll draft the next MJ or LeBron.

[RedBulls23]

Got to give credit where credit is due.

Benching Rondo is the best move Fred has made as a head coach.

In general, he's getting better. Figuring out how to get Jimmy space and then getting the right defense combos in when we need a stop.

I think benching Rondo may have given him more respect in that locker room.

[Rerisen]

Maybe Fred is learning, he finally went to the lineup I've been waiting to see get big minutes together, and it won us the game.

Butler
Wade
McDermott
Mirotic
Felicio

It almost lost the game as well. Mirotic and Felicio were getting abused in pick and roll.

That lineup took the floor when Jimmy entered the game with 7:54 left in the 4th quarter and the Bulls down 96-83.

Over that final 12:54, they outscored Toronto 40-22.

I guess we have vastly different definitions of "almost lost the game".

Not sure why it took him so long, many of us been saying don't play a natural PG since the start of the year.

[Red Larrivee]

Our best bet is the 2011 Mavericks model. Not good odds, but better than thinking we'll draft the next MJ or LeBron.

This is basically what Houston is trying to do with Harden.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Wade knew it was going in.

[BloodyQ]

If Jimmy keeps on playing like this you can pretty much guarantee that the Bulls won't be losing to bottom dwellers anymore.

[johnnyvann840]

Jimmy is untouchable. There really isn't 5 players in the league you would trade him for and draft picks are just a crap shoot in which you hope to get a player..... well, as good as Jimmy

He has at least five more prime years or close to prime. This is the player you build around.. NOW. Don't waste time. forget about tanking. Start assembling the team ASAP at the deadline. On draft day.

[Leslie Forman]

I said it after his 52 point game and I'll say it again - Butler is nearing untouchable status. You can laughably dismiss 95% of the offers we see from other teams for him.

Big changes to the supporting cast need to happen at the deadline, though.

Yeah Jimmy is really covering up what is a bad, bad team.

Something really being overlooked because of Jimmy is that Dwyane Wade after his hot start to the season is basically turning into the shooting guard version of Derrick Rose. His TS% last month was .502. And he's signed for another year at $24million.

[RedBulls23]

Even worse, we could be watching Kris Dunn take 25 shots a game.

Give Jimmy a six-year extension already. **** it.

T-Wolves lost again tonight. And they were supposed to be a can't miss rebuilding project. What year are they on?

Year 13.

The fun never stops.

lucky number 13

[johnnyvann840]

Starting to see growth from Fred as a coach from game to game now. We are starting to win 4th Q's. Lot of good things happening.

[Mech Engineer]

The superstar talk is all subjective, obviously. My criteria is simple: Can he be the best player on a championship team? My answer before the season on Jimmy was no; My answer now is I don't think so, but Jimmy is doing everything he can to prove that he can.

The biggest thing that Jimmy needs to prove is can he find ways to score efficiently against great defenses and individual defenders? Everytime he goes up against the likes of Kawhi Leonard and the Greek Freak he just doesn't look like he's in their same class at times. I think part of the problem is the roster. It's easier to hone in on guys when you aren't scared of anybody else.

In general, you are correct. Jimmy is probably not a "best player on a title team" type superstar.

Let's just be honest though. There have been 20 or so humans in history who fit that bill at their very peak. That's the bar you are setting. Guys like GA, KAT, etc. aren't it either. Unless you have a good plan for getting the next Lebron, Kobe, MJ, etc. then what do you do?

Jimmy is a classic second tier guy. Those guys generally only win with a great roster around them and fantastic coaching.

There is not always the same path for success. He is a late bloomer. Off-course, we don't know if this is his peak or if he can be a championship level player. But, people were doubting MJ and LeBron too. LeBron looked like a lost cause in 2009 even though he was in his prime. Just because everyone went after him in free agency doesn't mean people didn't doubt him.

You cannot measure somebody's hunger to succeed when they face elite competition. That is why drafting is a crap-shoot. In regards to actual play, Jimmy is almost there as a top option. He just needs some experience going against double teams/long defenders like Kawhi/Giannis and obviously better fitting talent around him.

The only thing I am not sure about Jimmy is how much mental toughness he has when he goes against elite competition and fails(he will fail). Will he come back with adjustments and not give up?

[Repeat 3-peat]

Watch on YouTube