Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau are back together again with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. The two had some good times with the Chicago Bulls, where they were able to form a strong bond built upon mutual respect.
Butler shed some light as to why he respects Thibodeau as much as he does to Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins, and it involves a little competition the two used to have.
Here was a rookie Thibodeau could appreciate, and a coach Butler could respect. He challenged himself to get to the team’s facility before Thibodeau. “I pull up at 6 a.m.—‘I’m gonna beat his ass today!’—and I see that damn black Range Rover parked out front. Next morning I get there at 5:45—‘I’m definitely gonna beat his ass today!’—and there it is again. Then late at night I come back to shoot with Luol, and it’s still parked in that same spot. It’s like, ‘O.K., forget it, I can’t beat the guy. So I’m just gonna run through a wall for this motherf—–.’ ”
Thibodeau is famous for being one of the most maniacally hard workers in the NBA coaching community. After years of toiling as an assistant, it’s a big reason why he now finds himself at the top of his profession.
Butler has a similar story of success as he transformed himself into the superstar he is today through sheer will, determination, and hard work. Given their similar experiences and personality types, it’s understandable that Butler would hold Thibs in such high regard.
Now that the two are reunited in Minnesota, they both have some work to do to whip the Timberwolves into shape, particularly in the defensive end, as they look to make it back to the playoffs this season. And seeing as both just can't stop working, they wouldn't have it any other way.
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