Jimmy Butler took a canoe trip for an ESPN segment called “Hang Time,” and the former Bulls guard made some waves.
When Asked by host Sam Alipour asked him why the Bulls would have made him available, he responded: “I said from the beginning that it was either going to be me or the Fred Hoiberg route. And, rightfully so, they took Fred. Good for them. I have that game marked on my calendar. February 9, baby, I’m back.”
While it’s true Hoiberg had more years left on his deal, Bulls officials say they moved Butler as part of a rebuild, not a power struggle with its young coach.
“I don’t think it had anything to do with one person or another,” the Bulls coach said Tuesday. “This was the direction chosen. We got some really good young pieces.”
The Bulls lost an All-Star in his prime to the Timberwolves but received Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the ability to move up to take Lauri Markkanen in the draft.
Hoiberg praised those three and added: “We miss Jimmy. He is an unbelievable player and has had a great impact on winning for Minnesota. And he will continue to do that. We always wish him the best.”
Thibs talk: After a canoe ride on a lake in Minnesota, Butler said during the five-minute video that Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau has changed, somewhat.
“I think he has added the ‘people’ aspect of it,” Butler said. “Now he’s coming in, laughing and joking around a little bit. He’s asking: Hey, how’s your wife? How are your kids. That’s big because you have to understand that basketball is not the most important thing in my life and he’s starting to realize that.”
What did Butler think of Thibodeau in the early part of his career?
“Couldn’t stand him,” Butler said. “I never use the word ‘hate’ but he was right there … right there on my list because he never played. Finally my time presented itself and I got to play and I got a little bit of: ‘What’s up, Jimmy?’ Whoa, Thibs just spoke to me. I’m moving up!”
Layups: With Neil Funk attending to a personal matter, play-by-play man Chuck Swirsky moved from the radio booth to TV. White Sox announcer Jason Benetti is subbing on the radio broadcasts. … Hoiberg said that LaVine’s final “hurdle” is taking contact in practice — and that likely will come when the team heads west for a four-game trip starting Nov. 19.
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
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