Jimmy Butler is already the face of the Chicago Bulls, but he may have delusions about starring for the Chicago Bears as well.
In an interview with Mark Schwarz of ESPN on Saturday, Butler tried to claim that he’s a better wide receiver than All-Pros Demaryius Thomas and Antonio Brown and that he would be getting franchise tagged if he wasn’t competing for USA Basketball at the Rio Games this summer. Many of Butler’s Olympic teammates didn’t feel quite the same way.
Jimmy Butler says he'd be a better WR than AB and Demaryius Thomas, gets roasted by all of Team USA ??https://t.co/fOIZ3DjxnH
— BALLUPNBA (@BallUpNBA) August 21, 2016
While Butler’s generous estimation of his own football talents may have been a little tongue-in-cheek, it seems he would at least have the physical tools to survive in the NFL. The two-time All-Star stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 220 pounds. For reference, Brown is listed at 5-foot-10, 181 pounds while Thomas clocks in at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. Butler also posted a max vert of 39 inches at the NBA Draft Combine in 2011.
Still, there are many more skills (efficient route running, speed/lateral movement, pass-catching ability, etc.) that go into being an elite wide receiver than just pure physical gifts. As such, Butler, who just signed a max contract with the Bulls last summer, is probably better off staying in his lane on the hardwood. But hey, maybe he still has a chance at starring in Invincible 2 with his buddy Mark Wahlberg.
Image Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
