Oct. 07--There are words. And then there are actions.
So for all Jimmy Butler's talk of becoming a more vocal leader or even suggesting the Bulls have lacked leadership, which he did in an interview with NBA.com's David Aldridge, of more importance is what the newly minted $92 million man did in the Bulls' 105-95 victory over the Bucks in Tuesday's exhibition opener.
On a night Derrick Rose and Mike Dunleavy sat with injuries and Pau Gasol, Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson rested, there was Butler, working his two-way talents into his typical froth at both ends. That included initiating offense in pick-and-roll situations in coach Fred Hoiberg's debut and hustling back to try to block Khris Middleton's dunk attempt to no avail in a spirited duel between those two.
Butler, the NBA's reigning most improved player, doesn't know much about taking nights off. This is, after all, the player who finished first last season and second in 2013-14 in minutes per game.
"He's such a complete player," Hoiberg gushed. "He's very coachable. He has been phenomenal."
Typical of exhibition openers, the Bulls were not throughout. But perhaps in a sign of things to come, everyone who played in the first three quarters but Joakim Noah attempted a 3-pointer as the Bulls shot 13-for-39 overall from beyond the arc. Butler's 23 points and six assists in 25 minutes and Nikola Mirotic's 18 points led the Bulls, while Noah looked livelier than during last season's laboring. Doug McDermott scored all 23 of his points after halftime.
As for Butler, he consistently has stated his desire to add leadership to his already full plate throughout training camp.
"I have to do it," Butler said. "I think Derrick is the quiet one. Jo is the emotional one. Someone has to be that guy to be calm and lead while still producing at both ends. Easy? Probably not. But somebody has to do it. I have to do it."
Butler said he never envisioned himself in this role but that he wants to add something to his game every year. He added his contract has nothing to do with it, that there's room for more than one leader and answered "I hope so" when asked if the team is ready to accept him in this role.
"We have a couple of guys who are quiet by nature. And nothing's wrong with that," Butler said. "Guys lead with their emotions if it's Jo, with their play if it's Derrick and Pau. Pau has won championships. But you need a guy who's going hard every night and is going to back up what he's talking about. And I definitely think it's going to be me."
As for Butler's claim that the Bulls lack leadership, Hoiberg said he hasn't seen it.
"I've been very happy with the way our guys have been encouraging each other and having each other's back and even getting on each other at times and handling it the right way," Hoiberg said. "Nothing is ever personal. You have to have that if you want to compete for championships."
Hoiberg mostly sat in his debut, opting for a casual no-tie look. He joked about playing in an era in which veterans faked running on the court for warmups, sending rookies out alone.
"And I think we actually played the Bulls so I was even more in awe when you saw Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen," he said.
Now, Hoiberg's coaching the Bulls, and a motivated Butler.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
