Jimmy Butler ready to fight for starter’s job that’s already his

Jimmy Butler is the Chicago Bulls starting two guard.

He started 20 games for the Bulls last season then every game in the playoffs. In the offseason, coach Tom Thibodeau has said Butler is the team’s starting two guard, lined up next to Derrick Rose in the backcourt.

Butler himself doesn’t see it that way.

He told NBA.com he still has to earn it.

“I feel like I’m not a starter yet,” said Butler following a workout at the Berto Center last week. “The season isn’t here yet and I still need to work my tail off for the rest of the offseason, go into training camp, play hard and do what I’m supposed to do. Coach Thibs and the management will do whatever they think it takes to help us win. Whether that means me as a starter or coming off the bench, whatever it may be, I’m comfortable with it. I just want to win games.”

You have to like that attitude.

The job is his, he earned it in the playoffs when he averaged 13.3 points a game, shot 40 percent from three and brought good defense every night. Drafted at the very end of the first round out of Marquette, he has proven to be a shrewd pick and another steal for the Bulls.

Butler is enjoying some of the perks of his fledgling stardom — he toured China, he went to the ESPYs where Jamie Foxx came up and introduced himself — but he also talked about spending this summer working on his game.

“I’m working on everything,” said Butler. “My game’s not perfect in any area, so why stop working on one over another? I’m definitely spending time on my three-point shot, because with Derrick back, teams are going to double team him. So we’ve got to be able to open the floor for him. I’m working on some mid-post work, for when I’m going up against a smaller two guard or small forward. You’ve got to be able to score from every point on the floor. And a lot of ball handing, so I can be the secondary ball handler. That’s also important.”

Him taking a step forward will be a big part of the Bulls taking a step forward this season as well. That and the whole healthy Rose thing.