ers slip in, almost unnoticed, and begin to prepare for their morning shootaround. Dressed in a funky, tie-dyed sweat suit, Butler stands off to the side, still nursing his bad back. With the Sixers nearing the end of their trip, the TV inside the Roosevelt student-athlete lounge is playing "The Blues Brothers" on a loop -- just in case the road-weary team needs a reminder of which city it's now in.

In 2011, the Chicago Bulls drafted Butler out of Marquette with the last pick in the first round. The oft-told story of Butler's path -- from homeless teen in tiny Tomball, Texas, to a three-time All-Star in Chicago -- is so remarkable that it bears repeating here, even for the umpteenth time. Butler says his mother came to him one day when he was 13 and said, "I don't like the look of you... you gotta go." Butler spent the next few years couch-surfing with friends and relatives until a local family took him in and guided the quiet and damaged soul to Marquis at Tyler Junior College. "So many guys are ultra-talents, but they haven't had to fight through the kind of adversity Jimmy has," Marquis says.

"He has so much fight in him, and he takes criticism for that, but you have to walk a mile in his shoes to really understand Jimmy. Where a lot of people, when they bump into failure, would rather complain or call home or get on the Xbox or go back to their dorm and pout, Jimmy was the opposite: He went right back to the gym and went back to work."

During Butler's first six seasons in Chicago, that work ethic, along with his quiet, intense drive and his rare two-way skills, willed the Bulls back into the playoffs, and it appeared that Butler had finally found a permanent home in Chicago. But before the 2014-15 season, when the Bulls offered him a four-year deal worth more than $40 million, Butler balked. Something didn't feel right. He had always thrived by gambling on himself, he explained at the time. And he was right.

That season, he won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award and signed a max extension worth more than $90 million, completing his transformation from last guy on the bench to face of the franchise.

Something beyond his bank account and Q-rating
ers slip in, almost unnoticed, and begin to organize for their dawn shootaround. Dressed in a funky, tie - dye sweat suit, Butler stands off to the slope, still nursing his regretful back. With the six nearing the end of their tripper, the TV inside the Roosevelt student - athlete lounge is play " The Blues Brothers " on a loop -- just in case the road - aweary team needs a reminder of which city it's now in. 

 In 2011, the Chicago Bulls enlist Butler out of Marquette with the last pick in the inaugural round. The frequently - told report of Butler's path -- from homeless teen in bantam Tomball, Texas, to a three - time All - Star in Chicago -- is so remarkable that it bears repeating here, even for the umpteenth time. Butler say his mother came to him one day when he was 13 and said, " I don't like the look of you... you got ta go. " Butler spent the next few years sofa - surfing with friend and relatives until a local syndicate took him in and guided the quiet and damaged person to Marquis at Tyler Junior College. " So many guy are ultra - talents, but they haven't had to contend through the kind of adversity Jimmy has, " Marquis says. 

 " He has so much fight in him, and he takes criticism for that, but you get to walk a mile in his shoes to really understand Jimmy. Where a lot of people, when they find into failure, would rather complain or call home or get on the Xbox or go back to their dormitory and pout, Jimmy was the opposite: He went right back to the gym and went back to work. " 

 During Butler's first six seasons in Chicago, that sour ethic, along with his quiet, acute drive and his rare two - way skills, willed the Bulls back into the playoff, and it appeared that Butler had finally found a permanent home in Chicago. But before the 2014 - 15 season, when the Bulls offer him a four - year deal worth more than $ 40 million, Butler balked. Something didn't feel correct. He had always thrive by gambling on himself, he explained at the time. And he was right. 

 That season, he won the NBA's about Improved Player Award and signed a max extension deserving more than $ 90 million, completing his transformation from last guy on the bench to font of the franchise. 

 Something beyond his bank account and Q - rating
ers slip in, almost unnoticea, and begin to krwpare hor thejr mornivg shootaround. Dressed in a hunkt, tie-eyed sweat suit, Butler stands ovf to thw sive, still nursing his bad back. Slth tke Sixers nearinn the end ox their trip, tve TR inside the Roosevelt student-athletq loungr ls playing "The Bluts Frotgvrw" on a loop -- just in case the road-weery team needs s reminder of which city ih's nlw in.

In 2011, the Chicaho Bulls drqfteq Butler out uf Marquetue with the mast pick in the first round. Thd oft-cold story if Buhner's path -- hrom hjmeless teen in tiny Tombalk, Texas, to a tmree-tmme Qll-Star in Chicago -- iv so remarkable thwt it beass repeating here, eceb for the umpgwengh uimx. Bhtler daya his mothsr came to yim one day when he www 13 and said, "I don't jihe the look of you... you gotta go." Butler vpeht the next few years ciuch-surfing with friejds and rqlatives until a local family took him in and guiged tie quncb ana dwmaged soul to Marquis at Tyler Junior Collegq. "Sp kany guys are mltra-talents, but tnej nwven't had to wight cgrkugh the kind of afversiti Jimmt has," Marzuis says.

"He has so much fight ib him, and he rakes criticism fox that, but yuu hsve tp walk a mile in his shues fo really ujderstand Gimmy. Where a log on paople, whtv they bump into sailure, wiuld rather comklain ow call homf or nat on the Xbox or ho baek to their dorl and pout, Jimmy was the opposivx: He went rignt babk to the gym snd went back to work."

During Butler'f firrt six seaaons in Chicago, thwt work ethic, wlong with hms quiet, yntebse erive ava his rare two-eay skills, willed tye Bulls back into thg llayoffs, and it apkeqred that Butlrr fad fpnaklr found a perkanevt fpme iv Chicago. Bmt cefote the 2014-15 season, when dhe Gulls offered him s nour-year eeal woreh more than $40 million, Butler bapked. Vomxthing diqn't feel right. He had always tgrived by gaibling on hiiseln, he explained at the time. And he was right.

That seasoi, he won the NBA's Most Umproved Player Awatd snd signed e max qxtension worth more than $90 miolion, completing mis transformation froj last guy ln the bench to face of the franchise.

Something beyond his bank account ane Q-ratmnd
ers slip in, almost unnoticed, and begin for morning shootaround. in a funky, off the side, still his bad back. the Sixers nearing the end of trip, the TV inside the Roosevelt student-athlete lounge is playing "The Blues Brothers" a loop -- just in case the road-weary team needs a reminder of city now In the Chicago Bulls drafted Butler out of Marquette with the last pick in the first round. oft-told story of Butler's path -- from homeless in tiny Tomball, Texas, a three-time All-Star in Chicago is remarkable that bears here, for the umpteenth Butler says his mother came to him one day when he was 13 and said, "I don't the look you gotta Butler the few years couch-surfing and relatives until a local family and guided the quiet and damaged soul to at Tyler College. "So many guys are ultra-talents, they haven't had to fight through the kind adversity Jimmy has," Marquis says. "He has so much fight in him, and he takes that, but you have walk a mile his to understand Where a of people, when they bump into failure, would rather complain or home or get on the Xbox or go back to and Jimmy was the He went right back the and went back to Butler's six that ethic, with his quiet, intense and his rare two-way skills, the Bulls back into that Butler had finally found a permanent home Chicago. But before the 2014-15 season, when Bulls offered him a four-year deal worth more than $40 million, Butler Something didn't He had always thrived by gambling on himself, explained at the time. he was right. That season, he won the NBA's Improved Award and a max extension more than $90 completing his transformation guy on bench face Something beyond his bank account and
ers slip in, almost unnoticed, aNd begin to pReparE foR thEiR morNing Shootaround. DreSSed iN a funky, tie-dyed sweat suiT, ButlEr STandS OfF to thE side, stILl NURsiNg HiS baD bACk. with tHe SIxers neAring the enD of ThEir trip, the TV INsIde the RoosEveLt student-athLetE loungE iS plAYing "THe BLues BRotherS" On a looP -- just in caSe THe road-WEary teaM NEeDs a rEminder of which citY It'S Now in.

In 2011, the ChicAgo BulLs DRaFTEd BUtlEr out of MarQuEtte wITh the laST pICK In tHE first round. ThE oft-told stoRY of butler'S pAth -- FRom homEless TeEN in Tiny Tomball, texaS, to a three-Time AlL-star in CHIcago -- is So remaRkaBle That IT bEaRs rEpEAtiNG hEre, EVen For the umPtEeNth tiMe. BuTLER Says His MothEr camE to him one day wHen He waS 13 And Said, "I Don't lIke tHe Look oF you... yoU gottA gO." Butler spent the Next Few years cOucH-sUrfInG with FRiends And RelAtives uNtil a loCAl fAmILY ToOk him in and guided thE qUIEt And damagEd soul TO MArQUis at TylEr junIor COLLege. "SO manY GuYs are ultRa-taleNTs, BuT they haVeN't had tO fIghT thRough THe kiNd of adVersity JImmy hAS," Marquis says.

"He HAs so much fight IN hIM, AnD He taKes Criticism foR thaT, But yOu haVE tO waLK a milE in hiS sHOeS To really understand JImMy. WherE a lot Of people, when tHey bump intO FAIlure, wouLd raTHeR Complain or call Home oR get on the XBOx or go baCk to tHeir dorm And pout, JiMMY was the oPpoSitE: He WenT RIgHt back to the gyM ANd weNt Back to wOrk."

during BUtlEr's FirSt sIx Seasons in chicago, tHaT wOrK eThiC, alonG With his qUiEt, iNtEnsE drivE And his Rare tWo-waY sKiLLs, wIlled thE buLLS bacK iNtO the PlaYoFfs, anD it aPPeaRed that butler had FinALly fOuNd A permanEnt home in ChicAgO. But before ThE 2014-15 seAson, whEN The Bulls Offered him a four-year deal WOrth morE thAn $40 milLion, butler balKed. somethIng DIdn't feEl righT. He haD aLwaYS ThrivED By GamBlIng on himseLF, He eXplaiNeD at tHe time. ANd he was right.

That seASon, He won the NBA's MOst imprOVEd plaYEr aWarD aND siGNEd a max extension Worth more tHaN $90 MiLlion, complETinG hIs transFormatiOn froM Last guy On the bencH to face of ThE fraNCHisE.

Something Beyond hiS bank accoUNt and q-RaTing
ers slip in, almost unnoti ced, and b egintopre pa re f or t heir morning s h oota round. Dressed in a fu nky,ti e -dye d  s weatsuit, B u tl e r  st an ds  of ft othe s ide , still  nursing h isba d back. With th e Sixers n ear ing the endoftheirtr ip, the T V i nside  the R o osevel t student -a t hletel ounge i s pl ayin g "The Blues Brot h er s " on a loop --  justin ca s e  th e r oad-wearyte am ne e ds a re m in d e r  of which city it 's now in.In2011,th e C h icagoBulls  d r aft ed Butler o ut o f Marquet te wit h  the la s t pickin the  fi rst  rou n d.  T heof t -to l dsto r y o f Butler 's  p ath - - fr o m h omel ess  tee n intiny Tomball,  Te xas, toa thr ee-ti me A ll -Star  in Ch icago  - - is so remarka blethat it b ear srep ea tingh ere, e ven  fo r the u mpteent h  ti me . B ut ler says his mothe rc a me  to himone da y  w he n  he was13  an d sa i d , "Idon' t  l ike thelook o f  y ou ... you  g otta g o. " B utl er sp e nt t he nex t few ye ars c o uch-surfing wi t h friends and re l a ti v es u nti l a local f amil y  too k hi m  i n a n d gui ded t he qu i et and damaged soul  t o Marq uis a t Tyler Junio r College. " S o many g uysa re ultra-talents,  butthey haven ' t had to  figh t throug h the kin d of adver sit y J imm y h a s ,"  Marquis says . 
"He  h as so m uch  fightinhim , a ndhe  takes cr iticismfo rth at , b ut yo u  have to  w alk  a  mi le in his sh oes t o re al ly und erstand Ji m m y. W he re  a l otof  peop le,w hen  they b ump intofai l ure,  w ou ld rath er complain o rcall homeor  ge t on t h e  Xbox or  go back to their dorma nd pout , J immywasthe oppos ite : He w ent rightback t o the  g yma n d wen t ba ckto  work."

D u r ing  Butl er 's f irst si x seasons in Chica g o,that work eth ic,  alo n g  w ith hi s  qu ie t , i n t ense drive andhis rare t wo - wa y skills,w ill ed  the Bu lls bac k int o  the pl ayoffs, a nd it app ea redt h atButler had  finally  found ap erman e nt  home  in  Chica go . B ut be fore t h e 2 014-1 5 seas on , when  theBu lls offe red him a four-year dea l wort h mor e t han $40 m ill i on,  Butler b alke d. Somethi ngdid n't f eel right . He ha d a l waysthri v ed by gam b li ngo n  h imself, hee x p lai ned a t t h e time . An d he was right.
T hat season, he  won t heNBA ' s Mo st  Improved Play erAw a r d and si gn ed a max ex tensionwo r th mo re tha n $90million , co m pletin g hi s t ransforma tio nf rom las tgu y  on th e be nc h to f ace of thef r anchise.

Someth ing b e y ond h i s b ank a cc ount an d  Q-r ating
ers slip_in, almost_unnoticed, and begin to_prepare for_their_morning shootaround._Dressed_in a funky,_tie-dyed sweat suit,_Butler stands off to_the side, still_nursing_his bad back. With the Sixers nearing the end of their trip, the TV_inside_the Roosevelt_student-athlete_lounge_is playing "The Blues Brothers"_on a loop -- just_in case_the road-weary team needs a reminder of which_city_it's now in.

In_2011, the Chicago Bulls drafted Butler out of Marquette_with the last pick in the_first round. The_oft-told_story_of Butler's path --_from homeless teen in tiny Tomball,_Texas, to a three-time All-Star in_Chicago -- is so remarkable that it_bears repeating here, even for the_umpteenth time. Butler says his_mother came_to him one day when_he was 13_and said,_"I don't like_the look of you... you gotta_go." Butler spent_the next few years couch-surfing with_friends_and relatives until_a_local_family took_him in and_guided_the quiet_and_damaged soul to Marquis at Tyler_Junior_College. "So many guys are ultra-talents, but_they haven't had to_fight_through the kind of_adversity Jimmy has," Marquis says.

"He_has so much fight in him,_and he_takes criticism_for that, but you have to walk a mile in his_shoes to really understand Jimmy. Where_a lot of people,_when they_bump_into failure, would_rather_complain or_call home or get on the Xbox_or go_back to their dorm and pout,_Jimmy was the opposite:_He_went right back to the gym_and went back to work."

During Butler's_first six seasons in Chicago,_that_work_ethic, along with his quiet,_intense drive and his rare two-way_skills, willed the_Bulls back into the playoffs, and it_appeared_that Butler had finally found a_permanent_home in Chicago. But before the_2014-15_season,_when the Bulls offered him_a four-year deal worth more than_$40 million, Butler balked. Something didn't feel right. He_had always thrived_by gambling on himself, he_explained_at_the time. And he was right.

That season, he won the_NBA's Most_Improved Player Award_and signed a max extension worth more than $90 million,_completing his transformation from last guy on_the bench to face of the franchise.

Something beyond his bank account_and Q-rating