Jimmy Butler Q&A: ‘I’m not perfect … but I’m ready’

7:35 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls haven’t been to the draft lottery since 2008, when they selected Derrick Rose No. 1 overall. After missing the playoffs for the first time in his five-year career, Jimmy Butler will sit in New York City representing the Chicago Bulls at the NBA Draft Lottery. But before he finds out where the Bulls will pick in the 2016 draft, the 26-year-old star guard reflects on the struggles of the season, the direction of the Bulls franchise and whether he can make the Olympic team this offseason.

Nick Friedell: You’re representing the Bulls at the Draft Lottery. What does it mean to you that they sent you there on this platform?

Jimmy Butler: I means a lot. I think it’s just me going to see what it is. I was in New York doing a college visit with my little cousin and we had talked about it a couple weeks ago. It just means that they want me to represent us. I don’t think it’s too much more than that. I just think it’s a good opportunity for ’em.

Friedell: Do you think to them it’s a good faith thing towards you, “We want you here. We want to build around you?”

Butler: Some people may look at it as that. I can’t say that I do or that I don’t. I feel like there’s another question that you’re wanting to ask me within that question so I figure I’ll answer that whenever you ask it because I know that it’s coming.

Friedell: What question? You want to be in Chicago. You told me last month that you wanted to be in Chicago for the future?

Butler: Of course. I love the city of Chicago. I’ve played here my entire career. Let’s not get that misunderstood. I love the guys that we have on the roster. We continue to bring in high character guys. I’m learning with Hoiberg. I’m not perfect, I’ll tell you that. But I’m ready. I think I have to be able to help this team win games though, that’s for sure.

Friedell: Now I know what you thought I was going to say before. So I’ll just ask and you can answer however you want. Do you think when training camp starts this fall that you’re still going to be on the Bulls?

Butler: Yeah, I think so. I definitely do. I do think that with the year that we did have last season — it’s unacceptable. So you have to then, truth be told, you got to look at everything. I didn’t do my job, so truth be told, can I help this team win? That’s the question that’s brought up. And I can’t be mad at that. You can use whatever excuse you want to use, but we didn’t make the playoffs. That’s all anybody sees and that’s rightfully so. So do I think I’m going to be here? Yeah, I think so. But that’s just me thinking.

Friedell: What makes you so confident that you can be both the star of the team — and the leader — heading into next year?

Butler: I’m just going to do what I’ve done my entire life and that’s continue to work. Everything else will fall into place. Just got to continue to be who I am and play basketball the right way. When I don’t worry about anything, I don’t over think this, we’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. Hopefully, that means that my team will be fine as well.

Friedell: What did you learn most from last year that you’ll take into this year. Specifically, in regard to the leadership part of it?

Butler: I think what I learned as a whole is that talk is cheap and learn to keep your mouth closed. I think that’s a lesson I’ve had to apply in life the hard way at times. Just because maybe I do talk too much. That’s on the basketball aspect of it, the leadership aspect of it, all aspects of it. Just be quiet, just do what you’re supposed to do.

Friedell: If I’ve heard one criticism in the last year and a half or so it’s that people say that you’ve changed. What do you say to the people who say that you’re different now than you were when you came into the league?

Butler: There’s a couple things I could say. If you’re not changing, you’re not keeping up with the times to tell you the truth. I don’t think anybody ever stays the same. I’m …

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