{"id":2611,"date":"2016-11-21T15:16:55","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T20:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=2611"},"modified":"2016-11-21T15:36:27","modified_gmt":"2016-11-21T20:36:27","slug":"jimmy-butler-hard-work-paying-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2016\/11\/21\/jimmy-butler-hard-work-paying-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Jimmy Butler’s Hard Work Is Paying Off"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jimmy Butler<\/a><\/strong> mauled the Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong> on Sunday. His 40 points ensured that even the Lakers’ revamped offense<\/a> couldn’t outscore the Chicago Bulls<\/strong>, with the game ending 118-110.<\/p>\n

For Butler, it was the high point of an already brilliant season, with his leadership qualities on full display. The Bulls were resting the legendary\u00a0Dwyane Wade<\/a><\/strong>, who continues to stave off a decline in production, despite his advancing age.\u00a0It was the perfect occasion for Butler to prove that he is the franchise player. He did exactly\u00a0that.<\/p>\n

His performance has epitomized Chicago’s\u00a0strategy this season – he scored heavily without hitting a three-pointer. The Bulls rank 28th in three-point attempts. Many observers – myself included<\/a> – predicted this method to be ineffective, and that the Bulls would miss the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Playing His\u00a0Own Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite the skepticism, the Bulls have shot out to a 9-5 start and currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference<\/strong>. Chicago has been potent\u00a0in transition<\/a> and through isolation plays<\/a>, proving that three-pointers alone aren’t essential to success in the NBA<\/strong>. The Bulls have been excellent in the paint<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Butler’s driving game been integral. He has scored on 55 percent of his drives<\/a>,\u00a0provided an assist on 10\u00a0percent, and only turned the ball over on 2.7 percent. That type of efficiency has overridden the Bulls’ lack of outside scoring. Their system goes against the current consensus, but the Bulls have thrived nonetheless.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Butler’s perimeter defense is menacing. He only allows 31.8 percent of three-point shots<\/a>\u00a0to find the basket against him, reinforcing\u00a0his reputation as a premier wing defender. His 1.7 steals per game also add to his defensive prowess.<\/p>\n

Putting In The Hard Yards<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Butler was always the type of player who would improve. He is a hard worker on the court -he covers 2.56 miles per game<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0which\u00a0was central to his early defensive promise. It’s important to note that of the top five players for distance covered, two have won the\u00a0Most Improved Player <\/strong>award (Butler and C.J.\u00a0McCollum<\/strong>)\u00a0and the other three are potential winners in 2017 (Harrison Barnes<\/a><\/strong>, Otto Porter<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0and Avery Bradley<\/a><\/strong>). It’s clear that\u00a0players who work hard\u00a0on the court tend to work hard off it, and therefore progress.<\/p>\n

And boy, has Jimmy Butler progressed. He was regarded as mostly\u00a0a defensive player prior to the 2014-15 season, but since then, he has become one of the league’s best two-way players. Although he is a relatively infrequent three-point shooter, he has shot 41.7 percent from beyond the arc this season. The figure dwarfs his 33.3\u00a0percent career mark. He’s also brilliant\u00a0from the free-throw line, which is vital, given his propensity to drive.<\/p>\n

Chasing Kawhi Leonard<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Butler has\u00a0morphed into a genuine scorer, putting up 25 points per game, while maintaining his defensive ability. His rise has mirrored that of\u00a0Kawhi Leonard<\/strong>, as the two chase LeBron James<\/a><\/strong>‘ crown for the best two-way player in the league. Like Butler, Leonard was drafted in 2011, and like Butler, the San Antonio Spurs<\/strong>\u00a0wing has added a dangerous offensive game to his stingy defense.<\/p>\n

But while Leonard has already claimed a title under one of the league’s most experienced coaches, Butler is still toiling under an inexperienced one. The Bulls still don’t seem on the Spurs’ level now, but\u00a0with a talented free agency class<\/a> on the horizon, the balance of power could soon swing.<\/p>\n

What’s Next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For now, Butler’s main challenge will be to remain healthy. He only played 67 games last season and his absence wounded the Bulls. They were 37-30 with him and 5-10 without him. It ultimately cost them a playoff spot.\u00a0Chicago can’t afford for Butler to miss 15 games again; his influence seems even stronger this season.<\/p>\n

Butler’s offensive development has been a revelation over the past few years, and this season, he has taken it a step further. The Bulls have been superb so far and Jimmy Butler has lead the way. Who needs three-pointers?<\/p>\n

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Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n