Holding Breath for Butler

Yeah, the Bulls blew another game Friday after being up 18, this one 105-100 to the Denver Nuggets, but what else is new?  It took a back seat to Jimmy Butler spraining his left knee, the same knee that caused him to miss Wednesday's win over Sacramento, and leaving the contest with just over a minute left in the second quarter.  He was carted off, but not before he insisted on shooting the two free throws he earned on the play in which he was injured.  The results of an MRI performed were not known as of this writing, but he will miss Saturday's game with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Butler, recently named to his second straight All-Star Game, momentarily became the latest subject in the Bulls' injury bug.  Joakim Noah is likely out for the year, Nikola Mirotic is in the hospital (from which he tweeted out concerns about Butler), Pau Gasol is battling an injured hand and who really knows if Mike Dunleavy will actually make his return on Saturday?  It's silly to believe in curses, but it's also becoming more difficult to think the Bulls don't have one attached to them.  And as crazy as it sounds, Derrick Rose is currently the only regular starter from last year who's completely healthy.

While it doesn't sound likely (we hope), a long-term Butler injury would be the most devastating of all.  He's the main reason the Bulls have any kind of respectability in this tumultuous year.  Sure, Rose had a solid January with 17.6 points per game and his first three February games have seen averages of 21.7 points, six rebounds and seven assists.  But just as Butler can't win anything without the former MVP, Rose can't carry the Bulls without Butler.

We all remember how when Rose tore his meniscus early in the 2013-14 season, the whole season outlook changed.  Eventually, Luol Deng was traded, signaling Gar Forman and John Paxson were ready to get his expiring contract off the books and get some value.  That pick brought the future Kings pick, which might come this year.  If the Butler injury turns out to be more serious, does that force them to work the phones again?

Whatever the case may be, this is the perfect time to reflect on how important Butler is to this team.  They really do sink or swim with him as much as they do Rose.  If either one of them falls, everyone else falls.  This year in particular, they can ill afford it if they're still trying to win a championship.

Luckily, it looks like a worst-case scenario will be avoided.  Not only might Butler be back within the next week, but he might still be able to play in the All-Star Game.  Him nearly being carted off and then, going back to shoot the free throws before leaving could be a metaphor for just how long he'll be out.  He might miss a game or two, but he'll be back to do his thing very soon.