Butler Believes Wade, Rondo Can Help Hold Himself, Bulls To Higher Standard

By Cody Westerlund--

(CBS) With the recent addition of playmaking guards Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade to the Bulls backcourt, two-time All-Star wing Jimmy Butler admits everyone's "got to sacrifice" for the greater good of the team.

That said, don't go expecting Butler to change his game and style that got him to where he is now.

"We all just want to win," Butler told reporters Monday after a Team USA practice in Las Vegas in his first public comments since Rondo and Wade were signed. "They have done it. I want to do it, so I'll play my role in that. But like I tell everybody, I'm still going to be the player that I am. I'm not going to take a step backward because I have new players on my team. I'm still going to be aggressive, I'm still going to guard, I'm still going to play hard. I just hope that's enough to make us win.

"I like the way we look. Lots of competitors, some winners. I'm looking forward to it."

As you might expect, Butler also downplayed the concern over how three strong personalities in himself, Rondo and Wade will coexist in the same locker room and with one basketball. The way Butler sees it, Rondo and Wade can help hold him to a higher standard.

Rondo has already called the Bulls "Jimmy's team" and added he, Butler and Wade are "three alphas."

"I have a voice in the locker room," Butler said. "I'll say what needs to be said. What I want them guys to do, whenever I'm on some (BS), I want them to tell me. I want you to say my name, man to man. That goes along with everybody. Say my name, and I'm going to do the same to you. Whenever you're (BSing) and doing whatever you're not supposed to be doing during practice, in the game, not taking care of your body ... you can't beat in around the bush and say, 'Oh hey guys, we need to take care of our body. Hey guys, we got to get sleep. Hey guys, we're taking bad shots.'

"If we're all holding each other accountable and getting on guys, it's only going to make us better, because then we know what we're doing wrong. And whenever you're making a mistake and you're called out upon it, you're not going to do it again."

Rondo and Wade have indicated to Butler to "keep doing what I've been doing," Butler said. He's already been in contact with both of his new teammates as well.

"I've made a name for myself in this league, and I'm going to continue to build upon that," Butler said. "I want my name to be in there with the greats. I'm not saying that it will, but I'm not saying that it won't be."

Butler was the subject of intense trade speculation on draft night back in June, with the Bulls engaging in discussions with the Celtics and to a lesser extent the Timberwolves, per reports. In the aftermath, Butler said he hasn't addressed the topic with the Bulls front office and that it's not an issue.

"I don't need clarity -- never have, never will," Butler said. "When you help win, all that takes care of itself. I know where I stand in this league as a player. If I continue to work, I'll continue to get better.

"Whoever I play for is gonna get my best effort every single night. That's what got me to this point. I'm not the most talented guy. I just play hard, man. If it's the Chicago Bulls, which I think it will be, I'm coming at everybody."

Butler also wished former teammates Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah "the best" with the Knicks, though he didn't seem heartbroken at all by their exits.

"I've been playing with them since I was a first-year player," Butler said. "But I can't hang my head on that. When I go on the floor, I've still got to help this team, the Chicago Bulls, win games. I'm sorry they're gone, but eventually I've got to move on from it."

Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. He's also the co-host of the @LockedOnBulls podcast, which you can subscribe to on iTunes and Stitcher. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.