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Chicago Bulls: Will Jimmy Butler Represent Team USA?

By Allana Tachauer

Apr 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Team USA men’s basketball roster is still being put together, many are wondering if Chicago Bulls player Jimmy Butler has what it takes to make the team.

Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler has a lot going on this offseason.

He has been dealing with trade rumors since before the team even officially missed out on the playoffs.

Which of course, led him to be the topic of discussion at a press conference held by general manager Gar Forman and vice president John Paxson.

Butler has been getting to know actress Shay Mitchell as well.

And was just asked to represent the organization at this year’s NBA Draft Lottery.

He also spent time at the NBA Draft Combine on Thursday.

In other words, Butler has had the media’s close attention as of late.

But there is plenty more to talk about in regards to the 26-year-old. For instance, will he indeed make the roster for Team USA?

Team USA has taken home the Olympic gold medal for the last two years in a row, and will get a chance to do so again this summer, in Rio de Janeiro. The roster needs to be narrowed down to 12 players out of the 31 finalists who already made the cut. And while Butler is one of the finalists, there are questions as to if he is really ready to take on such an important responsibility.

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    • On the one hand, there is no denying that Butler is already a star, on his way to being so much more. Although the Bulls may have had a horrendous run this year, he stayed proving his worth. Speaking out on his offense, he averaged 20.9 points a game on about 45 percent shooting, with 40 percent of his points coming from inside the paint. He also dished out about 4.8 assists a game as well. But he is strong defensively too.

    Butler grabbed an average of 5.3 boards per game this season, and picked 1.6 steals per contest as well.

    This means that he can shoot well, make and successfully run plays, and hold his own on the other end of the court.

    However, he is not strong from beyond-the-arc, decreasing his value a bit; he shot only 32.8 percent from three last year. He also has no prior Olympic experience, leaving him exposed to potential issues of confidence.

    And, of course, his competition includes the likes of Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Damian Lillard.

    Still, it does not seem like there is a clear answer to the issue of whether or not Butler will be cut, just yet.

    While some think that due to who he is going up against he has no shot, others obviously still think that he deserves a spot on the team.

    More hoops habit: Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler To Represent Team At Lottery

    Just as with whether or not Butler will be traded, only time will tell.

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