Doug McDermott feels all the Jimmy Butler criticism is unfair

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Doug McDermott is admittedly biased.

After all, he spent a few weeks attending Camp Butler last summer, undergoing the intense workouts that Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler puts himself through once the season comes to an end.

McDermott is also admittedly confused.

Confused over the growing criticism that has been thrown at Butler since the season ended.

Spending most of his time working out in Chicago since the 2015-16 campaign ended in mid-April, McDermott has heard a lot of the reports. Butler cant’s get along with Derrick Rose, Butler and Joakim Noah dislike each other, Butler’s a diva, “Hollywood Jimmy.’’

The list goes one.

“I haven’t been in Chicago that long, so I only know Jimmy how he’s been the last two years,’’ McDermott said in a phone interview Tuesday. “He’s really good with us young guys. He’s always trying to make us better and I think that shows a lot that he’s inviting guys like myself, Bobby [Portis], Tony [Snell] to come work out with him.

“I try and stay out of that other stuff. I know he’s been criticized, and I know a lot of guys have been criticized after the season we had. That’s just the way it is these days. But I think Jimmy has been great for me and I don’t have one bad word to say about him. He’s done a lot for me that I wouldn’t have expected coming into Chicago and this league. I think there are just a lot of things going on.’’

It wasn’t like McDermott was picking sides, either.

The 24-year-old also pointed out that Noah has been a rock solid leader with the young guys, as well.

“Joakim, obviously he’s another guy that I have nothing bad to say about him,’’ McDermott said. “He’s been a leader for us, and it was unfortunate the injury he went through last year because I think last year could have been a lot different if we would have had him the whole year, just from a locker room standpoint, a leadership standpoint. He’s still a guy I lean on pretty hard. They’re both great guys, great leaders.’’

That doesn’t mean that they will both be back next season. The Sun-Times reported two weeks ago that Noah has been making his distrust in the direction of the team very apparent with teammates, while there are still trade rumors surrounding Butler.

The latest was an ESPN report that the Timberwolves were interested in acquiring the two-way guard, reuniting him with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

One major problem with that idea: In order to make that trade the Bulls would have to be willing to actually have a discussion about it. According to a source, not only has that not happened, but even if they were willing to move Butler – which they currently are not – helping Thibodeau build a contender sits at the bottom of their to-do list, right under give Carlos Boozer another look.

“I stay away from all that stuff,’’ McDermott said.

Rightfully so. This is Year 3 for the No. 11 pick overall, and he knows what’s on the line.

“I’m never really satisfied with myself, and if I was satisfied right now with the improvements last year, I’d be hanging on the couch all day,’’ McDermott said. “That’s not what you want. I really want to establish myself in Year 3. I feel like people always say Year 3 is probably the most important just because the game starts to really slow down for you and you start to show more potential. That’s what I’m chasing right now.’’

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