Jimmy Butler is one of the reasons why Chicago Bulls have been on a roll this year in terms of offense. The swingman's 20.4 points a game this season leads all scorers for the Bulls, even Rose's 18.3 ppg average.
As a result, Butler has been nominated in his first All-Star appearance.
Unfortunately, despite Butler's resurgence as a key offensive threat, the Bulls are still struggling to find their form.
In a report, the Bulls have been everything but defensive-minded this season, dropping from 1st in defensive rating last season to 19th this year.Chicago allows 99.9 points for opposing teams this season, compared to just 91.8 points last year.
Butler, however, was quick to admit his failures on the defensive department.
"I think it starts with me, to tell you the truth,'' the first-time All Star said before Chicago faced Houston last night.
"I'm supposed to be this prime-time defender and I don't think I've been holding up my end of the bargain lately. So I think whenever I start kicking it up three, four notches on defense and not worry about offense as much, I think it'll all turn around.''
Unfortunately, that did not seem to take place during the Bulls' blowout loss to the Rockets. In the report by ESPN, Butler finished the game with 27 points, six rebounds and an assist.
While his offensive brilliance was noteworthy, it was his defense that seemed lacking.. During the pivotal second quarter where Harden scored 13 points en route to 22 points in the first half, it was Butler's defense that was getting abused. As a result, the Rockets led after the break, 57-48 and never looked back.
Butler helped the Bulls come back in the game after going down by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, but Houston's other starters began to contribute. Trevor Ariza and Donatas Motiejunas scored 20 and 15 apiece.
Meanwhile, Derrick Rose played his 12th straight game for only the first time since his MVP season in 2010-11. The 26-year-old star point guard finished with 23 markers and two dimes. Pau Gasol scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, which was his 10th consecutive double-double this season.
The Bulls will face Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday while Houston will go up against the Bucks on Friday.
