Nov. 17--The Bulls flew to Los Angeles on Sunday to begin a seven-game, 15-day trip, one of the longest in franchise history.
They better hope they saved room in the overhead bins for Jimmy Butler's confidence level.
Butler's offensive transformation continued Saturday night with a career-high 32 points in a loss to the Pacers. Not that Butler was impressed.
"I could care less how many points I score," Butler said. "Points don't get you championships. Winning does."
Nevertheless, if Butler continues his All-Star-level two-way play, winning is more likely.
The Bulls are 5-0 on the road, and Butler is a big reason. He leads the Bulls in scoring at 21.3 points per game, steals at 1.38 and minutes at 39.8. He is shooting 53.3 percent overall and 39.1 percent from 3-point range and averaging 7.8 free throws.
"I just look to be aggressive," Butler said. "If that's taking the open shot or getting in the paint or to the line, that's what I have to do."
This is serious stuff from someone who slumped to 39.7 percent shooting in his first full season as a starter last year. That included an anemic 28.3 percent effort from 3-point range.
"This is the next step for him," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's had his moments in the past. Last year he had an up-and-down year because of all the injuries. Now he's healthy. He got in great shape over the summer, he got lighter and he understands the league really well. He is strong on both sides of the ball.
"He scores a lot of different ways. He's always had the ability to draw fouls, but he's doing a lot of other things now, making plays. The second defender comes, he's hitting the open man. He's getting us easy baskets, runs the floor hard, can post, can drive, hit spot-ups, moves extremely well without the ball, and his defense is good as anyone in the league."
Butler turned down a multiyear offer averaging $11 million from the Bulls to become a restricted free agent next summer. He has clearly stated his preference to return but could command a hefty offer sheet if this play continues.
Butler bet on himself. So far, he's coming up aces.
Layups: Thibodeau on the trip: "I like going on the road right now. The challenge for us is to be ready and just to look at the Clippers. Don't get distracted. When we're right, I like us against anybody." ... Nikola Mirotic hasn't played more than eight minutes in his last five games. "He just has to keep working," Thibodeau said. "The thing is, we're loaded at his position. Work in practice. Be ready when you go into the game. He's got to learn the league. He's going to be fine."
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
Twitter @kcjhoop
