Fansided

Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons they’re legitimate title contenders

By Evan Massey

Feb 20, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) looks to pass the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of their NBA game at United Center. Bulls won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) looks to pass the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of their NBA game at United Center. Bulls won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Rise of Jimmy Butler

Every team needs to have more than one key offensive player, and the Chicago Bulls have three. Obviously a healthy Derrick Rose is their best players, and the signing of Pau Gasol has given them another excellent scoring option. That being said, Jimmy Butler has been the most impressive player on the Bulls’ roster this season.

Butler was offered a very lucrative contract extension ahead of the regular season this year, but he chose to bet on himself to improve his value. He has done exactly that, and is in line for a major payday this coming offseason. Chicago is going to do everything they can to re-sign him, but before that they are hoping to make a major run in the playoffs with him being a key part of it.

So far this season in 57 games, Butler has averaged 20.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

His defense is another thing that sets him apart from other players, and is going to be very important for the Bulls in the playoffs as well. At 25 years old, Butler is going to be asked to shoulder a heavy load for the Bulls in the playoffs and is more than capable of doing just that.

Next: 3. Dominant Rebounding

Home/Chicago Bulls