NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler Not Impressed with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson

Stephen Curry
Nov 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Fans and followers of the Chicago Bulls have been wary of the NBA team's performance before the commencement of the regular season. The anxiety of the basketball squad's supporters could be deduced to have been rooted on the injuries incurred by the players during the offseason. Following a heartbreaking loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the past NBA season, Derrick Rose and his basketball team aimed to avenge themselves this year. However, the leader of the Chicago Bulls appears to be incapable of delivering on such promise.

The absence of Rose to lead the NBA team paved the way for Jimmy Butler. The presence and the capacity of the young Chicago Bulls star had been first witnessed last season, with Butler taking over Rose's post when the veteran got injured. Although the up and coming star showed off his remarkable skills last season, the issues plaguing the Chicago Bulls roster remain unresolved to date.

"I don't think we bring that fight every single night," shared Butler following a particularly strenuous practice session of the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN. He went on to say, "I think we're starting to get back to that, but early on we weren't the hardest-playing team every night. We always need to and have to be the hardest-playing team."

Since the start of the NBA regular season, the Chicago Bulls have been struggling to mesh well with one another. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson cannot seem to find the right way to relive the glory days of their team up. Meanwhile, Pau Gasol remains problematic when it comes to defense. As for the once promising Nikola Mirotic, his shots nowadays keep missing the mark. In fact, even Rose has been bringing problems for the Chicago Bulls due to his injuries and the effects of such in the plays. Despite all these concerns, Butler is still optimistic that his NBA team will weather all the difficulties.

"He's [Butler] been amazing, man," commented Rose in another ESPN report. The injured Chicago Bulls star added, "He's playing great basketball. If anything, he pushes, I think not only me but the whole league to work on their game. The way he's been working out, the way he's focused and how consistent he's been playing, I think he's pushing the entire league.''

The energy and enthusiasm of Butler further resonated in the Chicago Bulls roster when he earlier volunteered to guard Golden State Warriors star shooter, Stephen Curry. Before the game against the NBA champs, Butler expressed his desire to go face to face with the MVP.

"I look forward to guarding everybody in this league, especially a prime-time scorer like him," said Butler in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. He added, "So I'll ask Coach for that matchup. No disrespect to him, but I like that."

When game day came, however, Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg assigned Butler to guard Draymond Green instead. Although the team lost to the reigning NBA champs, Hoiberg acknowledged and appreciated the determination of Butler not to back down from Curry.

"I think the biggest thing is he wants [the challenge]," noted Hoiberg, referring to Butler's desire to guard Curry and possibly Klay Thompson as well. He added, "He wants that pressure on him. He wants to guard the other team's best player, and he wants to be the guy making plays at the end of the game. So I think that's a big thing, he wants that responsibility."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.