After becoming the breakout star of the 2014-15 NBA season and signing a max contract this offseason, Jimmy Butler is looking to expand his game again next season, and this time, he's planning to play what he believes his natural position - the point guard.
In an interview with Bulls veteran beat writer Sam Smith, Butler talked about his intention of playing the point guard spot, if given a chance by new head coach Fred Hoiberg.
The Bulls extensively used Butler as a swingman (shooting guard/small forward) in his first four years with the team, but the former Marquette standout is confident he has the physical tools and skill-set to thrive as a playmaker.
Butler told Sam Smith of Bulls.com:
"First off, I think I am a point guard," Butler said without joking. "So I've done a heck of a lot of ball screen work, ball handling, getting into the paint and still handling, floaters, all that stuff point guards do. If I get a chance, high pick and roll more. I want some triple doubles. I've got to get my handle right so I can pass and get it to guys where they can make shots. I told Fred. You ask what position I play, I say point guard."
Butler averaged at least two dimes a game over his four-year career. He bumped up his assist average last season to 3.3 apg, despite the return of primary playmaker Derrick Rose. On the other hand, Butler showed, especially last season, that he can create his own shot through various ways (off-the-screen, off-the-dribble and at the post). Putting his 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame at the point guard spot would give the Bulls a significant advantage against small guards in the league, yet it might also create more tensions between him and a ball-dominant Rose.
Butler is The Next James Harden:
Butler's intention to be playmaker might be two-fold. It's either he's just trying to add another dimension to his game by calling the plays on the court once in awhile or he's planning to usurp Rose's position.
For Bulls fans, the best case scenario for Butler is to become the next James Harden. According to Kevin Ferrigan of SB Nation Blog-a-Bull, Butler possesses the same playmaking ability and offensive prowess to take his game to another level like James Harden did in Houston.
"Kevin Ferrigan suggested months ago on this site that Butler take over more of the primary ballhandling for the Bulls in a role similar to the one James Harden plays with the Rockets. Ferrigan argued that Butler was well-suited to initiating offense because of his ability to play pick and roll, his point production on drives, and his very low turnover rate," via SB Nation.
Having two playmakers on the backcourt should be better than one as it provides the Bulls more dynamics in its offense. Butler, who has been a perennial leader in minutes played per game the past few seasons, will also solve the Bulls' depth problem behind Rose as he can assume the playmaking duties whenever the former MVP heads back to the bench for some breather.
Will Butler thrive at the point? Will his transition to the point guard spot undermine Rose's effectiveness? These are just two of questions Butler needs to answer on the court next season.