Chicago Bulls: Is Jimmy Butler Going Too Hard?

Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler is tied for the NBA lead in minutes per game this season, but is he going too hard?

Chicago Bulls superstar Jimmy Butler returned to action on Monday night, as he helped propel his team toward a victory over the Toronto Raptors. Butler, who initially missed 11 games due to a knee injury, was forced to sit out again for three games after perhaps pushing himself too hard during his first game back.

The Bulls came out on top, 109-107, after back-to-back losses against the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat.

While Butler certainly had a successful run, scoring 13 points with five rebounds and six assists, many are wondering if once again playing him for 34 minutes was a smart move. And moreover, if he should not start taking it easier from now on.

Currently, the 26-year-old is tied for the league lead with an average of 37.8 minutes a game. But this is nothing new. Under former head coach Tom Thibodeau, he averaged 38.7 minutes for the last two seasons. The difference is the team’s style of play.

By no means did Thibodeau coach his group in a soft manner. The guys were always aggressive, coming up tough on the court day in and day out. But Thibodeau did focus on defense. And this is certainly not the story with newly appointed head coach Fred Hoiberg.

Just as it was the case when he coached at Iowa State, Hoiberg is known for his offense. Although he has been called out for not pushing his team hard enough, he still preaches a fast game on the court, focusing on “free-flowing” shooting. When it comes down to it, he is really the anti-Thibodeau.

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In other words, Butler playing an average of 38.7 minutes under Thibodeau and playing an average of 37.8 minutes under Hoiberg are worlds apart.

So far this year, Butler has endured an ankle sprain, tendinitis and a sprain in his knee and an injury to his thigh. His numbers have also slightly dropped: he is shooting at a lower overall field goal and free throw percentage, totaled fewer rebounds, tallied fewer assists and scored fewer points since All-Star Weekend.

Could Butler be going too hard?

Well according to Butler himself, he has no problem with his current workload.

“I love it. I’m fine and used to it by now. It’s the same. I’m expected to play 40 to 45 minutes. I have to produce. I pride myself on being mentally and physically tough and a two-way player…Whatever it takes, I just want to win. I want to help us in any way, shape or form. If that’s 48 straight minutes, if that’s 60 minutes, I’m willing to do it.”