Jimmy Butler Starting A New Chapter

Jimmy Butler may have ended last season in hot water, but things are certainly looking up for the Chicago Bulls star.

It seems like since the moment the Chicago Bulls ended their 2015-16 run, things regarding Jimmy Butler have been … complicated.

After Chicago missed the playoffs, many both inside and outside of the industry started to play the blame game. And you better believe that Butler was at the top of just about everyone’s list.

Via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times:

"“…if [Joakim Noah] didn’t get out of town when he did, the little comments and snide remarks to Jimmy Butler…Jimmy wasn’t having any more of those, and you would’ve seen fists thrown.”"

And ESPN’s Nick Friedell…

"“Jimmy has rubbed people the wrong way. He badly wants to be viewed as ‘the guy’. As long as Derrick and Joakim are still here, Jimmy cannot be that.”"

Along with Sam Smith going on the radio to discuss Butler’s “colossal ego.”

"“He’s really kind of full of himself. He hangs around with Mark Wahlberg, the actor, and lets us know about that a lot. He goes around to premiers or whatever. He announced before the season that he’s the leader of the team and guys are looking around going, ‘What are you talking about?’"

There was also a period of time when general manager Gar Forman himself did not seem keen on having Butler around.

"“I would say, I think [John Paxson] made it pretty clear we’ve got to take a look at everything. We’ve got to explore all options and I don’t think there’s anything that’s off the table when you have a disappointing year like this. With that said, obviously Jimmy has had a fantastic year. From where he was to where he’s gotten to, he’s become a very, vey valuable player for us.”"

However, since then, things have certainly turned around.

More from Chicago Bulls

After the front office decided they were set on not shopping him around, the organization was able to finally concentrate on other matters, like finding replacements for guys like Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Noah.

And did they ever.

Within a blink of an eye, both Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade had agreed to terms with Chicago.

Of course, at first, this only led to speculation regarding how well Butler would get along with the two veterans. Having parted ways with stars Rose and Noah, it was pretty clear everyone assumed the Bulls would finally be Butler’s team.

But how would that be possible, with legendary talents like Rondo and Wade around?

Well, so far, it seems like everyone is actually on the same page.

Upon his official arrival in Chicago, Rondo spoke on the topic to the media at his introductory press conference:

"“It’s Jimmy’s team. Jimmy, Wade and then whatever after that.”"

And Wade tends to agree.

"“We’re not going to go through this all year. This is Jimmy Butler’s team. Myself and Rondo are here to bring what we bring as athletes to this team and to this city. (Butler’s) a young bull on this team. He’s a 26-year-old that can play 40 minutes a game if coach wants him to and maybe more. I ain’t trying to do all that. And we’re going to depend on him a lot."

So what about Butler? Well, considering he helped persuade Wade to come on board by saying he would play whatever role necessary, he clearly has no problem being alongside both him and Rondo.

"“I said look man, I’m okay with whatever role you want me to play. But we can win games if you’re here with us. So that’s basically how it went. I was telling him, of all the things that have been said, I’m here to win. I don’t care what role I’m supposed to play, whose team it is, you come here, we’ll win games.”"

Besides finally being the leader he has always wanted to be and getting along with his teammates however, Butler also has the Olympics to be thankful for this summer.

must read: Chicago Bulls: 2015-16 Season Awards

Last season may have closed on a sour note for Butler, but make no mistake: things will not be the same, this time around.