Bulls, Thibs Show Confidence in Improving Butler

" Jimmy Butler was expected to take a big leap this season after barely getting off the bench as a rookie last season. After a strong showing in the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, Butler entered training camp with his confidence as a professional at an all-time high.

But a subpar shooting performance during the exhibition season had Butler, at times, doing more thinking than playing on the basketball court, and he relied on his teammates to keep his spirits up as he took his performances hard.

The organization – which picked up Butler’s third-year option on Oct. 30 – has shown a belief in the second-year swingman, and so has Tom Thibodeau, evidenced by the coach playing him the entire fourth quarter in Tuesday’s win over the Orlando Magic.

"He did a great job for us," the Bulls head coach told CSN Chicago on Wednesday after the team’s practice. "He's been playing better and better, stays ready and he can guard multiple positions. He plays hard all the time."

Butler said his coach’s confidence in him has boosted his own self esteem "

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