The Bernstein Brief: Jimmy Butler Talks Like He's In Charge
By Dan Bernstein--
CBSChicago.com senior columnist
(CBS) The guy who tells the coach what to do isn't backing down. Jimmy Butler has already proclaimed himself the Bulls' leader, and the arrival of new veteran teammates with NBA championship rings isn't changing that.
On Monday after the conclusion of a Team USA practice, Butler spoke with reporters for the first time since the Bulls added Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, and he's the same person who instructed Fred Hoiberg to "coach harder" last season and made sure plays were called that he wanted to run.
"I've made a name for myself in this league, and I'm going to continue to build upon that," he said. "I want my name to be in there with the greats."
Butler said he has talked with Wade and Rondo because he "wants to know my guys in and out."
His guys, who he says will have to join him to "sacrifice a little something for the betterment of the team."
Butler is encouraging them to be active participants in a Butler-led locker room, asserting, "I'll say what needs to be said" but allowing the new guys to criticize him as long as they "say my name, man to man. That goes along with everybody -- say my name."
Believe me, we will. This will be interesting, to say the least.
Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. You can follow him on Twitter @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.
