After Jimmy Butler agreed to terms for his new maximum contract, he goes on record to dismiss the rumors of his relationship with Derrick Rose in an interview with Rolling Stones Magazine.
“I don’t think we have any issues. I think we’re fine. I think we’re two basketball players that want to win games. That’s where I’ll leave it at. I think we just wanna win, bring a championship the city, to the organization. I think that’s our job. And I think we’re gonna do whatever it takes to make that happen. I have a lot of respect for the guy.” – Jimmy Butler
After the 2015 playoffs, speculation started to build that Butler and Rose were competing for the alpha dog position. This, by and large, is not true. Both Butler and Rose are competitors wanting to win, which naturally would mean they’d want to work together and not against each other.
Jimmy Butler also addressed the hiring of his new coach. Not many players on the Bulls came forward via social media to congratulate their new coach. However, Butler broke his silence and gave Hoiberg a few compliments.
“He’s a really good coach. He knows what he’s doing. He has some great offensive schemes and a great coaching staff. I think he’s gonna be good for the Bulls. I think Chicago will like him. He’s a very likeable guy, very successful at the college level and hopefully he can bring it to the Bulls.” – Jimmy Butler
Good coach? Likeable guy? Match made in heaven, right? Well, we’ll see how Butler fits into Hoiberg’s offensive schemes. Based on job Hoiberg did at Iowa State, Butler will be a key piece for their success. But, that’s obvious since he just signed a $95 million contract topping Rose’s $94 million in 2011.
Thibodeau and Butler were spotted having dinner at Gibson’s Steakhouse last week in Chicago. Conspiring to be reunited with the Lakers together, right? Well, Butler’s new $95 million contract might put a pause to that conspiracy theory many Lakers fans like to delude themselves with.
“On a personal level, I think Thibs is a great coach. He did a lot of good things for Chicago. He was my first coach in the NBA so I will always have love for Thibs. He made me come along as a player. I owe him a lot and I really respect what he’s done for me as a person and player and for Chicago. … He did the best he could do while he was here.” – Jimmy Butler.
Those are some powerful loving words. Thibodeau took in the 30th pick in 2011 NBA draft and molded him into the player he is today. It’s fair to say if there was no Thibodeau, there is no Butler. After Luol Deng left, Thibodeau’s new glue guy was Jimmy Butler. Fortunately for Butler, he was made of steel as he led the NBA in minutes played. Butler found great success under Thibodeau, and he’ll forever be thankful for that.
