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View Full Version : Biggest Surprises in NBA this Season per SI - Jimmy B. included



CaribouJim
04-11-2013, 03:34 PM
http://nba.si.com/2013/04/11/nba-surprises-kobe-bryant-tim-duncan-rockets/?eref=sihp

Jimmy Butler
Butler, the 30th pick in the 2011 draft, eked out 8.5 minutes in 42 games a rookie last season on a deep Bulls team. He was energetic but sometimes instinctively misguided, struggled with his shot and lacked the veteran know-how that made Chicago’s bench units so potent and cohesive. He was also already 22, having entered the NBA after three years at Marquette, making it difficult to project just how much he might improve and how useful he might ultimately be.

A year later, we’re far closer to answering those questions, because Butler has been a revelation in earning a regular rotation spot and showcasing a far richer offensive game than his first-year performance initially suggested. Butler won’t soon be miscast as a primary shot creator and he’s still not much of a scorer overall, but he’s harnessed his energy to become a more effective cutter and a selectively decent mid-range shooter. And if he is holding his own offensively despite a lack of three-point range, it becomes difficult for coach Tom Thibodeau to take him off the floor; the 6-7 Butler is such an incredible defensive asset that he could earn playing time on that trait alone, and together with Luol Deng he executes a vice grip on the opponent’s best wing players.

Larry Sanders included as well - huge article on him in this week's SI too.