The Chicago Bulls will be without Jimmy Butler as they open their NBA season due to a thumb injury
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There are few things in sports more difficult than defending
‘ forward Carmelo Anthony and
‘ forward LeBron James.
It’s even more difficult when your best wing defender out.
That’s exactly what the Chicago Bulls will be tasked with when this week. They will be without swingman Jimmy Butler when they take on the Knicks Wednesday and the Cavaliers Friday.
Jimmy Butler suffered a sprain of his thumb ligaments during the preseason and missed the Bulls’ final preseason game. Jimmy Butler confirmed that he would not play in the season-opener Wednesday and Bulls’ head coach Tom Thibodeau gave Jimmy Butler a timetable of 2-4 weeks.
Obviously, this is a tough early season blow for both Butler and the Bulls. Butler has until Friday to agree to a contract extension with the Bulls or he will become a restricted free agent in the offseason. If this is a lingering injury or more severe than most believe at the moment, it could cost Jimmy Butler money next summer.
The Bulls view themselves as legitimate contender with Butler and the 2013-2014 Defensive Player of the Year, center Joakim Noah being joined by a returning Derrick Rose and former Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol. With Jimmy Butler out, getting wins early in the season will be tough. He will likely be replaced by the likes of Mike Dunleavy, Tony Snell and rookie Doug McDermott.
Jimmy Butler averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 39.7% from the field, 28.3% from beyond the arc and 76.9% from the free throw line last season. In his career he’s averaged 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the floor, 30.9% from three and 78.2% from the charity stripe.
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