Jimmy Butler names three former Bulls teammates who helped unlock his potential

Jimmy Butler's journey to NBA superstardom didn't follow the typical script. From his overlooked college days to being drafted 30th overall in 2011, Butler's career has been defined by grit and growth.

However, his rise with the Chicago Bulls marked a turning point—a transformation forged by the influence of three pivotal teammates who helped unlock his potential.

Good formative years

The Bulls fans may still feel bitter, considering how Butler became the franchise leader for the Miami Heat and his playoff exploits in recent years. One could only wonder what it would have been like if he had that form for the Bulls and Derrick Rose hadn't been hurt.

However, when "Jimmy Buckets" entered the league, he wasn't immediately pegged for greatness. But under the mentorship of top franchise players, his confidence and skill set began to flourish.

"I'd say two guys; first, I'd say Luol Deng, who I still talk to to this day; that's my guy. Three guys—I take that back," says Butler. "Rick Hamilton was the absolute best at just telling the truth… He just wanted me to be the best player that I can be; love him for that. And man, Kirk Hinrich, man, that guy, when you talk about toughness, that [expletive] inspired the hell out of me watching Kirk go at it with the best."

Luol Deng for his consistency and hard work, Richard Hamilton for his honesty and encouragement, and Kirk Hinrich for his grit, which epitomized the Bulls' rigid defensive identity.

The lessons from these teammates propelled "Buckets" into a prominent role with Chicago, transforming him into a Most Improved Player winner in 2015 and a three-time All-Star when he left the Bulls.