Jimmy Butler loves challenges. The three-time All-Star loves them, whether they're about duration or defense.
That's why his answer when asked how long he realistically could guard Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics' 5-foot-9-inch scoring dynamo, shouldn't surprise.
"The whole game," Butler said without hesitation.
Coach Fred Hoiberg obviously isn't revealing his defensive game plan. But it's a safe bet Butler won't draw the assignment for that long. It's just as safe of a bet that Butler _ all 6-foot-7-inches of physicality _ will be checking Thomas in big fourth-quarter moments, a period in which Thomas averaged 9.8 of his 28.9 points.
"First of all, I'm 6-7} . Don't ever forget that," Butler said with a smile. "I mean, however tall he is ... he's mastered it. He's good at what he does, pulling up, shooting shots, getting to the rim, getting to the free-throw line.
"I look forward to that matchup, especially what he's done this year for that team. I know it's going to come at some point. I'm going to make it tough for him. ... I'm going to get beat at times, and I'm going to need guys to be there."
That was Hoiberg's message as well.
"We need to understand it's a team problem. It's not just an individual assignment," Hoiberg said. "He's so good getting into the paint, getting downhill, splitting pick-and-roll coverage. He can shoot it all over the floor with unlimited range and he gets himself to the free-throw line a bunch. You have to have a great awareness at all times of where he is."
Butler, who in a 2013 playoff run once played the entire game in five of seven games, vowed to be physical with Thomas.
"I get six fouls," he said. "I think I'll be all right."
