Tom Thibodeau single handedly molded Jimmy Butler into an Allstar talent. With 29 other teams turning their backs on Butler in the 2011 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls decided to roll the dice on the senior forward out of Marquette University. However, Butler’s maturation process isn’t over just after one season. After mastering the craft of defense under one of the best defensive coaches in the NBA, Butler now has the opportunity to work on his offensive craft under one of the most highly sought-after offensive gurus.
Just after having one game under his belt as a NBA coach, Fred Hoiberg has the entire city buzzing about good ball movement and the free-flowing offense he ran. Butler poured in 23 points with six assists in just 25 minutes in the preseason opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s where Hoiberg will take Butler to the next level of stardom. It’s just not the the points Butler will be able to put up, but the system will give him an opportunity to play point-guard; something he’s been advocating for a long time.
With Derrick Rose out until the regular season begins, Jimmy Butler will get a chance to experiment more as the facilitator of the team. If his six assists in 25 minutes give even a hint of indication of his play-making ability, Hoiberg will throw Butler in the teeth of the defense forcing him to find his teammates; which essentially makes him unguardable.
Fred Hoiberg has a chance to put his fingerprint on Jimmy Butler’s success just like how Tom Thibodeau has already done. Both coaches teach the opposite ends of the floor. While Butler has mastered defense, Hoiberg could finally put him in a place where he can flourish on offense.
