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Chicago Bulls: What To Watch For During Remainder Of Regular Season

By James D. Tillman III

Mar 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets defended by Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) and center Joakim Noah (13) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Bulls 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets defended by Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) and center Joakim Noah (13) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Bulls 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) practices before the game against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) practices before the game against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmy Butler was having an MVP-caliber season for the Bulls. In fact, Butler’s averages include 20.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest in 55 appearances.

What is even more impressive about Butler’s season is that his shooting numbers have increased dramatically. After shooting 39.7 overall and 28.3 percent from long range a season ago, Butler is currently converting 46.2 percent of his attempts, including 35 percent from beyond the arc, which has helped him shed the label of being one-dimensional player.

However, in a 96-86 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 1, Butler suffered a left elbow injury when he collided with DeAndre Jordan. And during the 11 games that Butler has missed, the Bulls are just 5-6.

While the Bulls have missed Butler’s presence, the good news is there is a chance that he could return sometime this week, as reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

And if that is the case, not only will the team have its leading scorer and top perimeter defender back in the fold, it will also have a player who leads the league in minutes played per contest (38.9).

Will Butler be able to return to form in time for the playoffs? Hopefully, the answer to this question is yes because it is uncertain what level Rose will be able to play at when he returns from a yet another extended absence.

More on that in a bit.

Next: Can Gasol Continue To Be Effective Down The Stretch?

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