Jimmy Butler has made it clear where he thinks he ranks among the game’s elite, repeatedly telling teammates that he’s “the best (bleeping) player in the world,” according to Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago.
“I’m not gonna tell you exactly what I say but I think you know what I’m talking about,” Butler said. “I don’t talk about it in public. But between these guys, they know how I feel, they know the way I go about the game and how I love it and how I love being better. I place myself where I place it and I hope my game continues to speak.”
After earning All-Star appearances in back-to-back seasons, Butler has been even better in 2016-17, posting career highs in points per game (24.5), rebounds per game (6.1), field-goal percentage (48.8), and 3-point percentage (44.7). The 27-year-old’s advanced metrics have been even more impressive, as he ranks third in the NBA in win shares, and fourth in both value over replacement player (VORP) and offensive rating.
“Yeah, if I go at the game with the same mentality, like Dwyane (Wade) told me, every time you step on the floor, you gotta have the mentality that you’re the best player out there,” Butler said. “You gotta be out there to prove that point every single night, every single day in practice. That’s what I’m working to be. I want to be the first guy in the gym, the last guy to leave, studying film and having a killer mentality.”
Butler’s hot play has been the main reason for the Bulls’ strong start. Chicago ranks fifth in the East with a 7-4 record.
