Sort of Humble

On Sunday, Bulls’ guard Jimmy Butler took an elbow to the mouth in Toronto, which may be why he only scored two points in the first half against the Raptors.  Not to worry.  Butler told teammates he’d do better the rest of the way, and, oh boy, did he ever.  Butler poured in a franchise-record 40 points in a half to lead his team for a come-from-behind victory, 115-113.

For me, Butler’s postgame performance was better yet.  A breathless TV reporter tried to compare Butler to Michael Jordan for breaking Jordan’s record of points scored in a half, but Butler would have none of it.  Then the reporter asked if the hero of the game intended to fly the plane home, he was so obviously talented.  Butler laughed and checked what must have been an impulse to ask, Are you f’n’ nuts?  Instead, the Bulls’ star asked the reporter if he wanted there to be another game.

Things could be getting interesting with and for the Bulls.  Butler has called out his coach as well as himself in recent weeks.  I can’t tell if it’s made much of a difference with Fred Hoiberg, but Jimmy Butler has upped his game in a way you don’t often see with pros these days.  For most guys, it’s all talk and little walk.  Butler, though, is doing the walk without getting called for travelling.