Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler’s go-to scoring guide

By Brian Sampson

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) attempts to pass the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) attempts to pass the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Backdoor

The more easy baskets you can get in basketball, the more likely you are to be successful. This rings true at every level. Sometimes the players in the game today try to make life a lot more difficult then it has to be by playing isolation basketball.

The truly great teams like the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have figured out that ball movement and timely cutting can lead to easier baskets and higher-percentage shots.

Butler too has figured this out. He has an extremely high basketball-IQ and understands how to move without the ball in his hands. He is very underrated in this aspect. There was about one play a game where I noticed Butler would successfully complete a backdoor cut for a layup.

On this play, Butler is supposed to come up to the wing for a dribble hand-off. Instead, he realizes that his defender is overplaying him so he quickly cuts backdoor for a reverse layup. Nikola Mirotic makes a great on time bounce-pass that hits Butler perfectly in stride. Butler then uses the rim for protection and converts a nice reverse lay-up.

It’s plays like these that may seem simple enough but can help an offensive get out of a funk or break the defenses back.