The new-look Minnesota Timberwolves will count on a leader by default in Jimmy Butler, a player known by his incredible work ethic and leading by example throughout the season.
Butler is coming into a star-studded situation, with home-drafted Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, adding other veterans like Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson, who were also acquired this offseason.
Among them, his voice isn't heard all that loudly, but his work on the practice facility and in the gym speak louder than he does.
“You can’t abuse leadership,” Butler told Shams Charania of The Vertical. “Know that everybody is always watching you. All eyes, all fingers, everything is going to be on you. It’s healthy. As much as you don’t want to mess up, we are going to make mistakes at times. And it’s OK because everybody makes mistakes. But you cannot continue to make the same mistake over and over and over again.”
“These young guys do listen, but it’s going to be a process. I’m new, and Andrew [Wiggins], KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] have been here. I can understand when someone else is coming in, and the culture is really going to change. I expect the same thing that Thibs expects, and we both do not expect to lose on any night, in anything.
“Everybody looks at me. If I’m going 100 miles per hour, if I’m locking up on defense, if I’m sprinting back in transition. You got to use me as an example, because if I’m not doing it, everybody is going to look at it and say: ‘Jimmy isn’t doing it, why do I have to do it?’
“But you can’t ever say I’m not giving it my all. Every day.”
Even new addition veteran Jamal Crawford acknowledges Butler's work ethic and familiarity with coach Thibodeau has played a large part into him becoming the natural leader of this team.
“Jimmy’s form of leadership is a different style because he shows you by example, and the good thing for us is he has the history with Coach Thibs,” Crawford said. “That has helped us know what it takes and how we can succeed in this system.”
“I’ve been on a lot of great teams, but this team might have the best blend of veteran guys, like myself, Jimmy, Taj and Jeff, to go with Andrew and KAT and the younger talent that we have. We have a chance to be strong one through nine and beyond.”
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