Chicago Bulls: 5 Biggest Storylines From 2016

Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds of the game during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Randy Foye (2) during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jimmy Butler Earns Gold Medal With Team USA

Following a 2011-12 rookie campaign in which he played sparingly (8.5 minutes per outing), Jimmy Butler has been far and away the best player in a Bulls uniform over the past two seasons.

As a result of becoming one of the best two-way players in the NBA, Butler was selected as a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team that went 8-0 en rout to their third consecutive gold medal.

During that eight-game stretch, Butler posted averages of 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest on just 34 percent shooting overall and a rather forgettable 22 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite the fact that Butler’s numbers were not overly impressive, he became the third active Bulls player to win a gold medal for the United States since NBA players started playing for Team USA back in 1992, joining Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

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