Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls came into the 2016-17 NBA season with many question marks surrounding the makeup of their team. Some thought that they would be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, while others didn’t think that the Bulls had a good roster makeup.
After the first 14 games of the season, the Bulls are 9-5 and looking very solid. They certainly seem to have a chance to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
On Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bulls were able to narrowly survive with a 118-110 victory. It was a great game between two very talented basketball teams. Chicago was favored heading into the game, but the Lakers are without question a team to keep an eye on this season.
Fred Hoiberg on Jimmy Butler: 'He told me before the game — "Coach, I'm going for 40 tonight.' And he did it."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 21, 2016
Butler had a huge game against the Lakers, scoring 40 points on 14-23 shooting from the floor and 12-14 from the free-throw line. He also compiled seven rebounds and six assists in the win.
Chicago knew that Butler would be a good player when they made him the No. 30 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. They couldn’t have had an idea that he would turn into the budding superstar that he currently is. Butler has become one of the top players in the NBA, which was proven when he was a big piece of the USA Olympic team.
All of that being said, the Lakers didn’t have an answer for him and Butler put up one of the best games of his career.
It will be interesting to see what the remainder of the season holds for the Bulls. Butler has a bright future ahead of him, but the Bulls will go as far as he takes them. Even with Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade in town, there is no question that Chicago is Butler’s team.
Check out the full highlights of Jimmy Butler’s huge game against the Lakers for yourself.
