The very name of the prominent orthopedic surgeon makes some people concerned that the knee is worse than initially thought. Andrews' name comes up all the time when pitchers need Tommy John surgery. This is all precautionary and for Butler's peace of mind, at least according to Fred Hoiberg, but nobody knows where this could lead. It falls right into the narrative that has been a frustrating season for the Bulls.
Butler played 34 minutes of the Rockets game before fouling out. He's tied with James Harden for the league lead in minutes per game at 37.8. In fact, that was Butler's final average last season and he led the league. The very thing Gar Forman and John Paxson held against Tom Thibodeau, playing guys too many minutes in the regular season, has turned into the second verse being the same as the first in Butler's case.
Such things only add to people wondering why the Bulls are so desperate to save their season. We're getting columns on how they need to shut Butler down and start tanking. There's nothing to gain long-term by making the playoffs, but perhaps they seem to think no postseason would hurt their image as well as those who might rely on playoff bonuses for whatever reason. That everyone in the organization lives in their own little world and is seemingly tone deaf to the outside calls for change reflects poorly on them.
This might just blow over and Butler will be back after this coming weekend at the latest. But how many more of these stories must come out? Maybe dropping TV ratings and season tickets not being renewed will finally make the Bulls realize something serious has to be done. Then again, we shouldn't hold our breath either.
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