The NBA playoffs are just around the corner.
Chicago will be without Derrick Rose as we know, which means Jimmy Butler is willing to take on extra responsibility in the postseason. Butler currently ranks fourth in the league in minutes played with 38.2 per game.
Last postseason, Butler averaged 40.8 minutes per game through 12 games. That’s a very hefty load of minutes, but that’s not enough.
The Bulls shooting guard is willing to play the entire 48 minutes if need be.
“Whatever it takes. I just want to win. I want to help us in any way, shape or form. If that’s 48 straight minutes, if that’s 60 minutes, I’m willing to do it.”
Butler takes great care of his body on off days and he gives most of that credit to former teammate Luol Deng.
“More than anything, it’s mental,” Butler said. “I used to see the way Lu took care of his body and gave it his all every night. That’s what I try to do. You put any tiredness behind you and just play hard. You forget you even had aches and pains.
While I do believe Butler will exceed his 40 minute average of last postseason, I don’t think it’s physically possible for him to play every minute of every game.