Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler believes he's to blame for the team's recent defensive woes. Although Butler vowed to play better, it's possible his league-high 39.8 minutes per game is actually to blame for his defensive slump.
Chicago's defense has always ranked in the top 10 through coach Tom Thibodeau's four seasons, but they're now ranked 12thh this season and are giving up 99.9 points per game. While those numbers would be great for some teams, it's subpar for the Bulls and Butler believes it's his fault.
"I think it starts with me, to tell you the truth,'' Butler said before Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN. "I'm supposed to be this prime-time defender and I don't think I've been holding up my end of the bargain lately. So I think whenever I start kicking it up three, four notches on defense and not worry about offense as much, I think it'll all turn around.''
If Butler is to blame, one reason for his slump could be the number of minutes he's playing. Butler's 39.8 minutes per game is the highest average in the league, and it - along with Thibodeau's grueling practices - likely has fatigue catching up to him.
The fact he's also now an offensive weapon for Chicago means he's doing even more work on both ends of the court, something Butler admitted wasn't easy.
"You have to pick and choose your battles and save your energy for both ends of the floor now,'' said Butler. "I'm not going to lie, I thought it was going to be easier than it is. But to go on one end and produce and then go on the other end and have to stop the best player on the opposing team is not always an easy task.''
Butler, who was named an All-Star for the first time this season, becomes a restricted free agent in July.
