With their stash of early picks, it seems like the Bulls took one for now, one for later. Jimmy Butler is a big, strong forward who will rebound and play defense. Fits right in with Coach Thibodeau's philosophy. The European kid will develop across the pond and come over here and contribute later, much like Amir Oshik did for the bulls this year.
NBA draft 2011: Chicago Bulls get Nikola Mirotic with Rockets' 23rd pick, according to reports; draft Jimmy Butler with 30th pick - ESPN Chicago:
Butler could join the rotation immediately, while it could be years until Mirotic suits up for Tom Thibodeau's team.
Mirotic signed an extension with Real Madrid in late April that keeps him under contract until the 2015-16 season, according to the Spanish club's website.
These words must have bee like music to the ears of Coach Thibodeau and Bulls fans.
"'They just need somebody to go out there and guard,' Butler said. 'I'm telling you I'm going to make [Dwyane Wade], [LeBron James] work for every dribble, for every shot, for every step that they take. I'm gonna try to make it my hardest on them.'
In his first season with Real Madrid's senior club, the 6-10 Mirotic averaged 8.1 points per game in 29 league games and 6.6 in 20 Euroleague contests.
ESPN's Chad Ford rated Mirotic as the fifth-best small forward in this year's draft class.
'We're excited about what we accomplished, and with Jimmy Butler who we took with the 30th pick,' Forman told 'Chicago's Gamenight.' 'We think is a guy that's a real fit for us. Is a fit on the floor with the versatility he brings defensively and some of the things he can do offensively and is a real fit with our team off the floor. The type of makeup and character he has I think he'll fit in our locker room and with the culture we're creating. '"
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