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

[Minalt]

Don't pick up the phone tonight Pax.

This is the epitome of how I have been feeling these past few days. Thanks Rerisen

[AKfanatic]

Don't pick up the phone tonight Pax.

This is the epitome of how I have been feeling these past few days. Thanks Rerisen

No worries...Pax has no phone.

[bulliedog8]

i feel bad for the raps. They better pray to avoid the bulls in the 1st round

[Payt10]

Bosh supposedly was in Chicago tonight watching this game... Could it mean??

Read on Twitter

[BloodyQ]

Anyone went to the game tonight?

Give us a detailed breakdown. Thanks

[GimmeDat]

We really need one good trade to bring in someone to help Jimmy. Don't know what it is. But man, we need some pieces. Aaaggggh so frustrating seeing this and knowing we're still a mediocre team at best. Bittersweet

Instead of salivating over draft picks we need to use our draft picks to get players that can help now.

If the Kings keep it up we should have 2 quality picks to bundle this summer.

Cavs trade their 1st rounders, because they know rookies and young players aren't going to help you win or compete for titles.

Not saying Bulls FO needs to go crazy with trading first rounders, but they need to get more established vets.

Not disagreeing with you, but the Cavs 1st would be right at the end of the 1st. With this being a .500 team, the 1st rounder is more desirable (and also would hold more value).

I do see the draft as a chance to acquire a high ceiling talent that might be difficult through other means with a well placed pick, though.

[madvillian]

I think tonight is the first time I saw in Felicio what some on this forum have been saying. He played with a high motor tonight, even if for the most part it was a quiet night in the box.

Kudos to Fred for going with that lineup as well. The M&M boys came through for the most part and obviously Bulter was tremendous. Wade was ok, Taj ok, Lopez was putrid. Hopefully he bounces back he's been on the decline lately it seems.

[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.

I don't disagree, although I would include Westbrook, Harden and Leonard in that conversation with Curry, Durant, and Lebron. Chris Paul and Anthony Davis I think a case could be made as well, even though neither of them have had much playoff success.

I think the word "Superstar" is definitely thrown around a little too loosely, in my opinion. There are only a small handful of players that fit that category every year. Guys like Lebron and MJ are in a category all by themselves, whatever that one would be.

I think it is again because Jimmy is a late bloomer/drafted late that people don't trust him. Everyone you mention ...Westbrook, Harden, Kawhi, AD and the other guys have been in the spotlight for a few years now. This is literally Jimmy's first year where he has got a chance to be a top option. But, he is not a top option like KAT either. He knows the league but he still doesn't know the league as a top option.

The only thing the Bulls can do is be smart and maximize the roster talent to fit his skill-set/needs. Forget the stats...he is a wing. He will not get beat-up like Rose or Westbrook or even Harden. He has the perfect size to be a top option like Kawhi.

That's why LeBron who is similar to Kawhi/Jimmy has been durable as a top option unlike the small guys.

LeBron never won without 2 HOF players in their prime next to him. Kobe had a great roster with him and even a better player next to him(Shaq).

Honestly, as a Bulls fan, I would just enjoy the ride.

[Benedict Miller]

Great game by Jimmy and good win. On to the next.

[XxMisterFreakXx]

Jimmy Butler is something special Hoiberg just gave him the keys down the stretch and said hey you do you and make the plays down the stretch. It’s amazing how much better the bulls play without Rondo on the court (not really surprising) especially Butler. He made some tough shots down the stretch and made some nice plays getting teammates involved he was like a man possessed.

Doug had a really good game except for the 3 point shot and seemed more engaged on defense it seemed like as well he was being really aggressive on defense going for the ball and not settling and would love for Doug also to stop with the ugly low percentage floaters and just take the ball to the rack for a better high percentage shot.

IDK if anybody notices this as well but Doug's shooting form when isn't ready to shoot or hesitates his mechanics look not right and shot just looks flat. When Doug is in a position where he’s ready to shoot his form/posture/release look a lot better especially his follow through it looks so much cleaner.

[Bulls03]

This is easily our best win of the season right? Down 19 points I believe and fought back for the win. So many guys stepped up to close this out on both sides of the ball.

[Bulls03]

Ive been telling y'all if there's a Bosh return it will be here. I'm dead serious when I say that.

[Bulls03]

Well we've figured out how to maximize Jimmys game and that was by taking Rondo out of the lineup. We're 3-1 since then and Jimmy averages 35-9-7. Now we need to tinker a little bit to get Wade more comfortable out there because we need him to be more efficient as he has been his whole career.

I've been trying to think of a way but I'm not too sure. I think the lack of spacing hurts him the most due to him not being as athletic anymore but one thing that may help is starting Niko over Taj and running a little more pick n roll/pop action at the top of the key. Would also like to see him a little more in the post.

I did read he is shooting like 59% at the rim. That's a good sign because he will be attacking a lot more if we make the playoffs.

[My2CentsR]

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.

That's not a fair definition since the evolution of superficially built 'superteams'. The championship team of this year will most likely be Cavs or GS again, and no, he's not more valuable than LeBron, Curry or Durant. If stars were more naturally spread out, I think he has a chance to be the best on a championship team if he had a much stronger supporting cast and a better sidekick.

Kawhi showed him up this year but he showed Kawhi up last year, they're pretty similar in consistency and two-way play. Greek Freak is a really interesting one to watch for though, would love to see how he develops playing against the best in the next few years.

[Bulls03]

This team also has ECF potential. The Raptors are the 2 seed and I would be very confident against them in a series. They have absolutely no one that can guard Jimmy or Wade and I can say that with confidence. (Jimmy tonight, Wade in the playoffs last year)

The Celtics are also really good but Jimmy won't let that midget end our season.

[BloodyQ]

Ive been telling y'all if there's a Bosh return it will be here. I'm dead serious when I say that.

And why would he come here instead of the Raptors who have a much better record?

[Bulls03]

Last thing, if any of Millsap, Griffin, Whiteside, Cousins (doubtful after talks today if an extension) are available and Millsap and potentially Whiteside already are, we need to go all in and get one of them. Put a big in this team that will consistently score around 20 and we're going to be a very tough matchup for the Cavs in the ECF. I would gamble for Millsap if the other guys aren't available while we have Jimmy playing at this level and Wade still looking healthy. I bet we could trump other offers by throwing in the Sac pick and our pick.

[Bulls03]

Ive been telling y'all if there's a Bosh return it will be here. I'm dead serious when I say that.

And why would he come here instead of the Raptors who have a much better record?

Because we have a superstar and an all star that happens to be his best friend.

[My2CentsR]

Jimmy is Wade's spirit animal.

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

Wade is leaching off of Butler's swag. Soon he'll be riding behind him on a banana boat and trying to coordinate bowties. Sorry so salty, lol, just remember how annoying joint Wade/Lebron postgame interviews were.

[RememberLu]

Jimmy's ability to make friends is uncanny; everyone likes him.

well except for Noah I guess