Joakim Noah reflects on Jimmy Butler's meteoric rise: "Everything that he has right now came from work"

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In his recent appearance on ‘The OGs’ podcast, former NBA star Joakim Noah recounted what it was like to witness the exceptional growth and progress of a young Jimmy Butler back in the day in the Chicago Bulls.

“Jimmy is special,” Noah said. “Talking about competition, I never competed with somebody like that. … That energy was all the same when Jimmy just came to Chicago. He didn’t get to play in the beginning. I remember in his first game where Luol [Deng] got hurt in the middle of the game. Luol didn’t get to play against the Knicks. Jimmy got to guard [Carmelo Anthony], and he did such a good job in that game.

“In the beginning, Jimmy was just a real role player who played with that toughness. The competition that was already in him just fit perfect. And to see the player that he’s become, he took it to another level when it comes to work ethic,” Joakim added.

Started from the bottom, and now we here

The Bulls chose Jimmy as the 30th pick of the 2011 Draft. Considering his position, Butler had to go through humble beginnings to earn his spot and prolong his stay in the NBA.

As a little-known prospect from Marquette, Butler only obtained a little playing time under Tom Thibodeau in his rookie year. However, as Jimmy gradually earned the trust of the Bulls’ head coach with his play, he ultimately saw significant development in his on-court exposure.

Often tasked with defending the opposing team’s best perimeter player, Jimmy secured rotational minutes in Chicago, which paved the way for him to become a full-time starter. From there, Butler seized the opportunity to catapult himself to stardom. His hard work paid off in the 2014-15 season, as the 6’7” forward earned the league’s Most Improved Player award by averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 boards, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals.

For five years in the Windy City, Joakim fully saw Jimmy’s dramatic metamorphosis from a fringe role player into an NBA All-Star with hard work alone. Seeing the success he is now enjoying today, Noah can only tip his hat off to the grind and journey the 34-year-old has embraced since day one.

“I think there were highs and lows, ups and downs with Jimmy. But overall, you got to give credit when credit is due. Like everything that he has right now came from work, [and] nobody can take that away from Jimmy. Hands down and whether you like him or not. I respect the f*** out of Jimmy Butler for just [being] a winner,” Joakim added.

Fully motivated in life

Jimmy’s aggressive mentality and dedication to his craft are deeply rooted in his rough childhood upbringing. Growing up in the suburbs of Houston, Butler had to face a depressing youth as he was abandoned by his mother, forcing him to bounce for multiple homes just to survive.

“My people ask, ‘Why do you keep doing what you’re doing?’ I’m not going back to the life I used to live. That sh*t is out. My competitive edge that sh*t comes from the fact that nothing was given to me, man. Nothing. I had to go to junior college. I had no else to go, and then when I go to Marquette, they was like, ‘This mother fu**er ain’t gonna make it.’ So okay, I’m going to show you,” he once said.

From the hilarious side quests, off-court activities, and league dominance he demonstrates as the current leader of the Heat, Jimmy truly deserves the sweet fruits of his labor. He might not be the strongest and the most talented player, but that unbreakable determination has always been Butler’s tool to rise through the odds.