Back on Chicago Bulls Media Day Jimmy Butler was asked by a reporter if this team is now “Jimmy Butler’s team” or is it still “Derrick Rose’s team?”
Butler answered in a very predictable way, and in the only way that he conceivably could answer that question. The answer was totally cliche, but the Q&A did serve a vital point. It provided a litmus test to see if the person talking Chicago Bulls hoops had any acumen or not.
People who “get it,” knew then that this is Butler’s team. You also had plenty of preseason individual player rankings putting Butler ahead of Rose. As the season went on, the “Bulls are Derrick Rose’s team” Camps began to fold. We did the piece saying that the team obviously belongs to Jimmy Butler way back on October 22nd.
It was certainly not a ground-breaking piece by any means. We just stated when the non-clueless already know.
Of course, you still had some “Derrick Rose is the Bulls franchise player” dead-enders out there; lots of them actually. That’s really said because even Captain Obvious had set sailed on that ship by December.
Then on January 3rd, Jimmy Butler went and scored 42 points in 39 minutes in a victory over Toronto. The D Rose camps became an endangered species. Last Thursday, Jimmy Gets Buckets dropped 53 on de facto D-League franchise Philadelphia in 49 minutes. At this point the Rose camps closed permanently.
That night, more than any other and finally sealed it. The Bulls are led by last year’s NBA Most Improved Player, the All-Star who was given a max contract this summer.
If you haven’t realized that by now, then you clearly do not follow the Bulls at all, or you do and you’re far from intelligent. Yesterday ESPN had a media conference call to shill their NBA on Saturday package, and the first game is actually Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers this Saturday night.
A reporter on the call, who is obviously from another market, asked ESPN which player they’re using to plug and market the game. Hey, lots of Oscars talk this week, so people want to know who the Bulls leading man is; as well as who plays supporting roles and bit parts.
Q. Do you think the star power is Jimmy Butler, or is it still Derrick Rose?
Jalen Rose: “The star power is who’s playing at an All Star level, a top 12 level, and that’s Jimmy Butler. He’s become one of the best players in the league, a terrific two way player. So he’s the marquee. Derrick Rose, he’s had his opportunity. He’s been an MVP in the league. His efficiency isn’t what it used to be.”
“They still need him to play at a high level, however, if they’re going to advance, and hope to push the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the Cleveland Cavaliers are head and shoulders better than any team in the East.”
Jalen is right; Butler is the man right now. On many nights the Bulls are pretty much Jimmy Butler, and a bunch of guys. Or to stick with the Oscars analogy, the cast is Jimmy G. Buckets and a bunch of extras in some games. Also, in reference to Jalen’s other points, SPOILER ALERT!! The Bulls are NOT getting past the Cavs. Don’t waste your time even thinking about that plot point.
How many times have we seen the Lebron James versus the Bulls in the postseason movie? How does it end? Like “Police Academy” or “Fast and Furious,” there’s only so many times you can rehash that same predictable story.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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