Bulls guard Jimmy Butler lit into his team, and their first-year head coach Fred Hoiberg, for being lax to start the season and doing little to correct it. Butler is averaging a career-high 21.5 points, and matching his career-high for assists (3.3) that he posted last season, so while his harsh words made waves, they were given weight.
He has since not backed off of his comments, and after meeting for an hour with Hoiberg, the coach even said he was right on several points, according to The Chicago Tribune.
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"I believe in the guys in this locker room but I also believe we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times," Butler said. "I'm sorry, I know Fred is a laid-back guy and I really respect him for that, but when guys aren't doing what they're supposed to do, you have to get on guys-myself included."
Butler's outburst proved he has become Chicago's vocal leader, but their 15-11 record reveals that there's still a struggle on the court for the leadership mantle. For years former MVP Derrick Rose, a Chicago native, was the team's savior. As his injuries piled up, and he missed time, Butler slowly assumed Rose's scoring load and has now become an elite shooting guard.
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Rose is healthy again, but he isn't the same player; Chicago's biggest problem is that Rose hasn't accepted that. In the Bulls' 147-144, quadruple-overtime loss to the Pistons Rose scored 34 points on as many shots. Butler poured in 43 points on 29 shots, and attempted 14 free throws to Rose's five.
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | FGA | 3-Point% | PER |
| Derrick Rose | 13.5 | 3.3 | 5.4 | 37.2 | 15 | 22.4 | 9.7 |
| Jimmy Butler | 21.5 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 45.0 | 15.8 | 32.6 | 20.8 |
At these rates, it's clear that Butler has surpassed Rose in his capability of carrying the offense, and should be getting an allotment of shot attempts more in line with James Harden of the Rockets, than any of his own teammates. Rose is averaging more attempts than points, and has posted a PER three points lower than Kobe Bryant's, and some are calling for Bryant to retire immediately.
Butler has taken vocal command of the Bulls, which is vital because center Joakim Noah is due to miss some time. Even Hoiberg is ready to pass the torch to Butler, but until Rose gets with the program the ceiling on Chicago's potential will be low.
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