Jimmy Butler Upset With Lack of Playing Time

Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg sat Jimmy Butler at the beginning of the 4th quarter in Wednesday night’s loss to the Celtics. This is a jarring change from the way it was under former coach Tom Thibodeau. Butler averaged 38.7 minutes a night the last two seasons under Thibs, leading the league both years.

These days Butler’s minutes are way down (Just 37.2 minutes a night under Hoiberg!) and it’s showing. Never more than last night and Butler is sick of it. Via ESPN:

"“I told Fred not to take me out at the beginning of the fourth,” Butler said. “I wanted to play because that’s when we give up those leads, at the beginning of the fourth. Nothing against my teammates, but I think if I’m out there and I get their energy going the right way, now take me out and let me rest. But the energy’s going, the energy’s flowing. I think I got to start playing at the beginning of the fourth quarter.”"

Butler returned with 9:15 remaining in the quarter, with the Bulls having yet to score a point in the 4th. Of course, Butler took a couple minutes to warm up and the Bulls didn’t score for another 3-minutes. With a sweat again broken, Butler scored 17 points in the final 6:07, but it wasn’t enough.

Never again! Fred Hoiberg must stop sitting Jimmy Butler so much. He can rest after the Bulls have been eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.