Punching people in the face is apparently some sort of national pastime and Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls swears he would have done it if you had told him years ago that he’d be in the NBA.
Butler is in Las Vegas for the USA Men’s Basketball minicamp and he’ll eventually have the chance to become one of 12 players for the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team. Surely, it has to be an overwhelming and humbling feeling.
In an interview with Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago, Butler relayed how surreal this past couple of months, which have included a contract extension with the Bulls, have been:
He says the acclaim and the opportunity to even be considered among the final 12 is surreal enough, and if you would’ve told the kid who had to fax his letter of intent to Marquette from a fast food joint many moons ago he would be here today, you might have to duck for cover.
“(I’d) Punch them in the face and (say) stop lying to me; I would never ever believe that. I never thought I’d be in the NBA,” Butler said. “I damn sure never thought I’d have a chance to represent Team USA. Now that I’m here I have to make the most of it. I think I’ve got a shot at it; we’ve got to see.”
It’s exciting to see Butler’s lifelong dreams come to fruition. It’s also terrifying to know he’d clock you right in the kisser if you believed in him 8-10 years ago. (Kidding.)
(Via CSN Chicago)
