Jimmy Butler
Given the heights he’s gone on to reach, it’s easy for many to forget just how inauspicious Jimmy Butler’s start in the NBA actually was.
Taken as a 30th overall pick by the Bulls after finishing out his college playing career at Marquette, Butler played only half of the games in his rookie campaign, and came off the bench for the majority of his second year.
That kind of trajectory is certainly one that will speak to DiVincenzo, as Butler first earned his spot in the rotation on a good Bulls squad with his high-intensity defensive approach, before then going on to fine-tune his offensive game as he grew in comfort as a pro.
DiVincenzo likely wouldn’t be best served by assuming the kind of off court intensity that has led to Butler becoming a figure of contention and frequent conflict over the past few years. But continuing to build on that energy in-game, and maintaining a chip on his shoulder in coming up against the rest of the NBA’s best, could only serve him well.
If DiVincenzo is to make major strides in the years ahead, Butler’s path to stardom may be one that gets mentioned more frequently in comparison.